Biodegradable compositions and articles made from cellulose acetate

ABSTRACT

A foamable composition comprising at least one cellulose acetate, a plasticizer, a nucleating agent, and either a chemical blowing agent or a physical blowing agent is disclosed. The composition is formed into foamed articles that are biodegradable.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.17/759,109 filed Jul. 20, 2022; which is a 371 U.S. National Phase entryfrom PCT Application Number PCT/US2021/014080 filed Jan. 20, 2021; whichclaims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/963,313filed Jan. 20, 2020, now expired; and U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 63/051,942 filed Jul. 15, 2020, now expired; and U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 62/706,274 filed Aug. 7, 2020, now expired; thedisclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference in theirentirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There is a well-known global issue with waste disposal, particularly oflarge volume consumer products such as plastics or polymers that are notconsidered biodegradable within acceptable temporal limits. There is apublic desire to incorporate these types of wastes into renewed productsthrough recycling, reuse, or otherwise reducing the amount of waste incirculation or in landfills. This is especially true for single-useplastic articles/materials.

As consumer sentiment regarding the environmental fate of single-useplastics, such as straws, to-go cups, and plastic bags, are becoming aglobal trend, plastics bans are being considered/enacted around theworld in both developed and developing nations. Bans have extended fromplastic shopping bags into straws, cutlery, and clamshell packaging, forexample, in the US alone. Other countries have taken even more extremesteps, such as the list of ten single-use articles slated to be banned,restricted in use, or mandated to have extended producerresponsibilities throughout the EU. As a result, industry leaders, brandowners, and retailers have made ambitious commitments to implementrecyclable, reusable or compostable packaging in the coming years. Whilerecyclable materials are desirable in some applications, otherapplications lend themselves better to materials that are compostableand/or biodegradable, such as when the article is contaminated with foodor when there are high levels of leakage into the environment due toinadequate waste management systems.

There is a market need for single-use consumer products that haveadequate performance properties for their intended use and that arecompostable and/or biodegradable.

It would be beneficial to provide products having such properties andthat also have significant content of renewable, recycled, and/orre-used material. One such product is a foam.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present application discloses a foamable composition, comprising:

-   -   (1) a cellulose acetate having a degree of substitution of        acetyl (DS_(Ac)) between 2.2 to 2.6;    -   (2) 5 to 40 wt % of a plasticizer;    -   (3) 0.1 to 3 wt % of a nucleating agent; and    -   (4) 0.1 to 3 wt % a chemical blowing composition, comprises:        -   (i) 25 to 75 wt % of a blowing agent, and        -   (ii) 25 to 75 wt % of a carrier polymer having a melting            point that is no more than 150° C.,            -   wherein the proportions of the blowing agent and the                carrier polymer are based on the total weight of the                chemical blowing composition,        -   wherein the proportions of the cellulose acetate,            plasticizer, nucleating agent and chemical blowing            composition are based on the total weight of the foamable            composition.

The present application discloses a foamable composition comprising:

-   -   (1) a cellulose acetate having a degree of substitution of        acetyl (DS_(Ac)) between 2.2 to 2.6;

(2) 5 to 40 wt % of a plasticizer;

-   -   (3) 0.1 to 3 wt % of a nucleating agent; and    -   (4) 0.1 to 15 wt % of a physical blowing agent,        -   wherein the proportions of the cellulose acetate,            plasticizer, nucleating agent and physical blowing agent are            based on the total weight of the foamable composition.

The present application also discloses additional compositions,articles, and methods.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts the weight loss curves for Ex 36, Ex 37 and Foamazol 73S.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Cellulose Acetate

In embodiments, the cellulose acetate utilized in this invention can beany that is known in the art and that is biodegradable. Celluloseacetate that can be used for the present invention generally compriserepeating units of the structure:

wherein R¹, R², and R³ are selected independently from the groupconsisting of hydrogen or acetyl. For cellulose esters, the substitutionlevel is usually express in terms of degree of substitution (DS), whichis the average number of non-OH substituents per anhydroglucose unit(AGU). Generally, conventional cellulose contains three hydroxyl groupsin each AGU unit that can be substituted; therefore, DS can have a valuebetween zero and three. Native cellulose is a large polysaccharide witha degree of polymerization from 250-5,000 even after pulping andpurification, and thus the assumption that the maximum DS is 3.0 isapproximately correct. Because DS is a statistical mean value, a valueof 1 does not assure that every AGU has a single substitutent. In somecases, there can be unsubstituted anhydroglucose units, some with twoand some with three substitutents, and typically the value will be anon-integer. Total DS is defined as the average number of all ofsubstituents per anhydroglucose unit. The degree of substitution per AGUcan also refer to a particular substitutent, such as, for example,hydroxyl or acetyl. In embodiments, n is an integer in a range from 25to 250, or 25 to 200, or 25 to 150, or 25 to 100, or 25 to 75.

In embodiments of the invention, the cellulose acetates have at least 2anhydroglucose rings and can have between at least 50 and up to 5,000anhydroglucose rings, or at least 50 and less than 150 anhydroglucoserings. The number of anhydroglucose units per molecule is defined as thedegree of polymerization (DP) of the cellulose acetate. In embodiments,cellulose esters can have an inherent viscosity (IV) of about 0.2 toabout 3.0 deciliters/gram, or about 0.5 to about 1.8, or about 1 toabout 1.5, as measured at a temperature of 25° C. for a 0.25 gram samplein 100 ml of a 60/40 by weight solution of phenol/tetrachloroethane. Inembodiments, cellulose acetates useful herein can have a DS/AGU of about1 to about 2.5, or 1 to less than 2.2, or 1 to less than 1.5, and thesubstituting ester is acetyl.

Cellulose acetates can be produced by any method known in the art.Examples of processes for producing cellulose esters are taught inKirk-Othmer, Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, 5th Edition, Vol. 5,Wiley-Interscience, New York (2004), pp. 394-444. Cellulose, thestarting material for producing cellulose acetates, can be obtained indifferent grades and sources such as from cotton linters, softwood pulp,hardwood pulp, corn fiber and other agricultural sources, and bacterialcellulose, among others.

One method of producing cellulose acetates is esterification of thecellulose by mixing cellulose with the appropriate organic acids, acidanhydrides, and catalysts. Cellulose is then converted to a cellulosetriester. Ester hydrolysis is then performed by adding a water-acidmixture to the cellulose triester, which can then be filtered to removeany gel particles or fibers. Water is then added to the mixture toprecipitate the cellulose ester. The cellulose ester can then be washedwith water to remove reaction by-products followed by dewatering anddrying.

The cellulose triesters to be hydrolyzed can have three acetylsubstitutents. These cellulose esters can be prepared by a number ofmethods known to those skilled in the art. For example, cellulose esterscan be prepared by heterogeneous acylation of cellulose in a mixture ofcarboxylic acid and anhydride in the presence of a catalyst such asH2SO4. Cellulose triesters can also be prepared by the homogeneousacylation of cellulose dissolved in an appropriate solvent such asLiCl/DMAc or LiCl/NMP.

Those skilled in the art will understand that the commercial term ofcellulose triesters also encompasses cellulose esters that are notcompletely substituted with acyl groups. For example, cellulosetriacetate commercially available from Eastman Chemical Company,Kingsport, Tenn., U.S.A., typically has a DS from about 2.85 to about2.99.

After esterification of the cellulose to the triester, part of the acylsubstitutents can be removed by hydrolysis or by alcoholysis to give asecondary cellulose ester. As noted previously, depending on theparticular method employed, the distribution of the acyl substituentscan be random or non-random. Secondary cellulose esters can also beprepared directly with no hydrolysis by using a limiting amount ofacylating reagent. This process is particularly useful when the reactionis conducted in a solvent that will dissolve cellulose. All of thesemethods yield cellulose esters that are useful in this invention.

In one embodiment or in combination with any of the mentionedembodiments, or in combination with any of the mentioned embodiments,the cellulose acetates are cellulose diacetates that have a polystyreneequivalent number average molecular weight (Mn) from about 10,000 toabout 100,000 as measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) usingNMP as solvent and polystyrene equivalent Mn according to ASTM D6474. Inembodiments, the cellulose acetate composition comprises cellulosediacetate having a polystyrene equivalent number average molecularweights (Mn) from 10,000 to 90,000; or 10,000 to 80,000; or 10,000 to70,000; or 10,000 to 60,000; or 10,000 to less than 60,000; or 10,000 toless than 55,000; or 10,000 to 50,000; or 10,000 to less than 50,000; or10,000 to less than 45,000; or 10,000 to 40,000; or 10,000 to 30,000; or20,000 to less than 60,000; or 20,000 to less than 55,000; or 20,000 to50,000; or 20,000 to less than 50,000; or 20,000 to less than 45,000; or20,000 to 40,000; or 20,000 to 35,000; or 20,000 to 30,000; or 30,000 toless than 60,000; or 30,000 to less than 55,000; or 30,000 to 50,000; or30,000 to less than 50,000; or 30,000 to less than 45,000; or 30,000 to40,000; or 30,000 to 35,000; as measured by gel permeationchromatography (GPC) using NMP as solvent and according to ASTM D6474.

The most common commercial secondary cellulose esters are prepared byinitial acid catalyzed heterogeneous acylation of cellulose to form thecellulose triester. After a homogeneous solution in the correspondingcarboxylic acid of the cellulose triester is obtained, the cellulosetriester is then subjected to hydrolysis until the desired degree ofsubstitution is obtained. After isolation, a random secondary celluloseester is obtained. That is, the relative degree of substitution (RDS) ateach hydroxyl is roughly equal.

The cellulose acetates useful in the present invention can be preparedusing techniques known in the art, and can be chosen from various typesof cellulose esters, such as for example the cellulose esters that canbe obtained from Eastman Chemical Company, Kingsport, Tenn., U.S.A.,e.g., Eastman™ Cellulose Acetate CA 398-30 and Eastman™ CelluloseAcetate CA 398-10.

In embodiments of the invention, the cellulose acetate can be preparedby converting cellulose to a cellulose ester with reactants that areobtained from recycled materials, e.g., a recycled plastic contentsyngas source. In embodiments, such reactants can be cellulose reactantsthat include organic acids and/or acid anhydrides used in theesterification or acylation reactions of the cellulose, e.g., asdiscussed herein.

In one embodiment or in combination with any of the mentionedembodiments, or in combination with any of the mentioned embodiments, ofthe invention, a cellulose acetate composition comprising at least onerecycle cellulose acetate is provided, wherein the cellulose acetate hasat least one substituent on an anhydroglucose unit (AU) derived fromrecycled content material, e.g., recycled plastic content syngas.

In an aspect, the biodegradable cellulose acetates can be formulatedinto cellulose acetate compositions with a plasticizer and at least oneof a filler, additive, biopolymer, stabilizer, and/or odor modifier.Examples of additives include waxes, compatibilizers, biodegradationpromoters, dyes, pigments, colorants, luster control agents, lubricants,anti-oxidants, viscosity modifiers, antifungal agents, anti-foggingagents, heat stabilizers, impact modifiers, antibacterial agents,softening agents, mold release agents, and combinations thereof. Itshould be noted that the same type of compounds or materials can beidentified for or included in multiple categories of components in thecellulose acetate compositions. For example, polyethylene glycol (PEG)could function as a plasticizer or as an additive that does not functionas a plasticizer, such as a hydrophilic polymer or biodegradationpromotor, e.g., where a lower molecular weight PEG has a plasticizingeffect and a higher molecular weight PEG functions as a hydrophilicpolymer but without plasticizing effect.

In embodiments, the cellulose acetate composition comprisesbiodegradable cellulose acetate (BCA) and at least one plasticizer. Theplasticizer reduces the melt temperature, the Tg, and/or the meltviscosity of the cellulose acetate. In embodiments, the plasticizer is afood-compliant plasticizer. By food-compliant is meant compliant withapplicable food additive and/or food contact regulations where theplasticizer is cleared for use or recognized as safe by at least one(national or regional) food safety regulatory agency (or organization),for example listed in the 21 CFR Food Additive Regulations or otherwiseGenerally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) by the US FDA. In embodiments, thefood-compliant plasticizer is triacetin. In embodiments, examples offood-compliant plasticizers that could be considered can includetriacetin, triethyl citrate, polyethylene glycol, Benzoflex, propyleneglycol, polysorbatemsucrose octaacetate, acetylated triethyl citrate,acetyl tributyl citrate, Admex, tripropionin, Scandiflex, poloxamercopolymers, polyethylene glycol succinate, diisobutyl adipate, polyvinylpyrollidone, and glycol tribenzoate.

In embodiments, the plasticizer can be present in an amount sufficientto permit the cellulose acetate composition to be melt processed (orthermally formed) into useful articles, e.g., single use plasticarticles, in conventional melt processing equipment. In embodiments, theplasticizer is present in an amount from 1 to 40 wt % for mostthermoplastics processing; or 15 to 25 wt %, or 13-17 wt % for profileextrusion; or 19-22 wt % for sheet extrusion; or 23-27 wt % forinjection molding, based on the weight of the cellulose acetatecomposition. In embodiments, profile extrusion, sheet extrusion,thermoforming, and injection molding can be accomplished withplasticizer levels in the 13-30, or 13-25, or 15-30, or 15-25 wt %range, based on the weight of the cellulose acetate composition.

In embodiments, the plasticizer is a biodegradable plasticizer. Someexamples of biodegradable plasticizers include triacetin, triethylcitrate, acetyl triethyl citrate, polyethylene glycol, the benzoatecontaining plasticizers such as the Benzoflex™ plasticizer series, poly(alkyl succinates) such as poly (butyl succinate), polyethersulfones,adipate based plasticizers, soybean oil epoxides such as the Paraplex™plasticizer series, sucrose based plasticizers, dibutyl sebacate,tributyrin, sucrose acetate isobutyrate, the Resolflex™ series ofplasticizers, triphenyl phosphate, glycolates, polyethylene glycol,2,2,4-trimethylpentane-1,3-diyl bis(2-methylpropanoate), andpolycaprolactones.

In embodiments, the cellulose acetate composition comprises abiodegradable CA component that comprises at least one BCA and abiodegradable polymer component that comprises at least one otherbiodegradable polymer (other than the BCA). In embodiments, the otherbiodegradable polymer can be chosen from polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs andPHBs), polylactic acid (PLA), polycaprolactone polymers (PCL),polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), polyethylene succinate (PES),polyvinyl acetates (PVAs), polybutylene succinate (PBS) and copolymers(such as polybutylene succinate-co-adipate (PBSA)), cellulose esters,cellulose ethers, starch, proteins, derivatives thereof, andcombinations thereof. In embodiments, the cellulose acetate compositioncomprises two or more biodegradable polymers. In embodiments, thecellulose acetate composition contains a biodegradable polymer (otherthan the BCA) in an amount from 0.1 to less than 50 wt %, or 1 to 40 wt%, or 1 to 30 wt %, or 1 to 25 wt %, or 1 to 20 wt %, based on thecellulose acetate composition. In embodiments, the cellulose acetatecomposition contains a biodegradable polymer (other than the BCA) in anamount from 0.1 to less than 50 wt %, or 1 to 40 wt %, or 1 to 30 wt %,or 1 to 25 wt %, or 1 to 20 wt %, based on the total amount of BCA andbiodegradable polymer. In embodiments, the at least one biodegradablepolymer comprises a PHA having a weight average molecular weight (Mw) ina range from 10,000 to 1,000,000, or 50,000 to 1,000,000, or 100,000 to1,000,000, or 250,000 to 1,000,000, or 500,000 to 1,000,000, or 600,000to 1,000,000, or 600,000 to 900,000, or 700,000 to 800,000, or 10,000 to500,000, or 10,000 to 250,000, or 10,000 to 100,000, or 10,000 to50,000, measured using gel permeation chromatography (GPC) with arefractive index detector and polystyrene standards employing a solventof methylene chloride. In embodiments, the PHA can include apolyhydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyhexanoate.

In embodiments, the cellulose acetate composition comprises abiodegradable CA component that comprises at least one BCA and abiodegradable polymer component that comprises at least one otherbiodegradable polymer (other than the BCA). In embodiments, the otherbiodegradable polymer can be chosen from polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs andPHBs), polylactic acid (PLA), polycaprolactone polymers (PCL),polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), polyethylene succinate (PES),polyvinyl acetates (PVAs), polybutylene succinate (PBS), celluloseesters, cellulose ethers, starch, proteins, derivatives thereof, andcombinations thereof. In embodiments, the cellulose acetate compositioncomprises two or more biodegradable polymers. In embodiments, thecellulose acetate composition contains a biodegradable polymer (otherthan the BCA) in an amount from 0.1 to less than 50 wt %, or 1 to 40 wt%, or 1 to 30 wt %, or 1 to 25 wt %, or 1 to 20 wt %, based on thecellulose acetate composition. In embodiments, the cellulose acetatecomposition contains a biodegradable polymer (other than the BCA) in anamount from 0.1 to less than 50 wt %, or 1 to 40 wt %, or 1 to 30 wt %,or 1 to 25 wt %, or 1 to 20 wt %, based on the total amount of BCA andbiodegradable polymer. In embodiments, the at least one biodegradablepolymer comprises a PHA having a weight average molecular weight (Mw) ina range from 600,000 to 1,000,000, or 600,000 to 900,000, or 700,000 to800,000, measured using gel permeation chromatography (GPC) with arefractive index detector and polystyrene standards employing a solventof methylene chloride. In embodiments, the PHA can include apolyhydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyhexanoate.

In certain embodiments, the cellulose acetate composition comprises atleast one stabilizer. Although it is desirable for the cellulose acetatecomposition to be composable and/or biodegradable, a certain amount ofstabilizer may be added to provide a selected shelf life or stability,e.g., towards light exposure, oxidative stability, or hydrolyticstability. In various embodiments, stabilizers can include: UVabsorbers, antioxidants (ascorbic acid, BHT, BHA, etc.), other acid andradical scavengers, epoxidized oils, e.g., epoxidized soybean oil, orcombinations thereof.

Antioxidants can be classified into several classes, including primaryantioxidant, and secondary antioxidant. Primary antioxidants a generallyknown to function essentially as free radical terminators (scavengers).Secondary antioxidants are generally known to decompose hydroperoxides(ROOH) into nonreactive products before they decompose into alkoxy andhydroxy radicals. Secondary antioxidants are often used in combinationwith free radical scavengers (primary antioxidants) to achieve asynergistic inhibition effect and secondary AOs are used to extend thelife of phenolic type primary AOs.

“Primary antioxidants” are antioxidants that act by reacting withperoxide radicals via a hydrogen transfer to quench the radicals.Primary antioxidants generally contain reactive hydroxy or amino groupssuch as in hindered phenols and secondary aromatic amines. Examples ofprimary antioxidants include BHT, Irganox™ 1010, 1076, 1726, 245, 1098,259, and 1425; Ethanox™ 310, 376, 314, and 330; Evernox™ 10, 76, 1335,1330, 3114, MD 1024, 1098, 1726, 120. 2246, and 565; Anox™ 20, 29, 330,70, IC-14, and 1315; Lowinox™ 520, 1790, 22IB346, 22M46, 44B25, AH25,GP45, CA22, CPL, HD98, TBM-6, and WSP; Naugard™ 431, PS48, SP, and 445;Songnox™ 1010, 1024, 1035, 1076 CP, 1135 LQ, 1290 PW, 1330FF, 1330PW,2590 PW, and 3114 FF; and ADK Stab AO-20, AO-30, AO-40, AO-50, AO-60,AO-80, and AO-330.

“Secondary antioxidants” are often called hydroperoxide decomposers.They act by reacting with hydroperoxides to decompose them intononreactive and thermally stable products that are not radicals. Theyare often used in conjunction with primary antioxidants. Examples ofsecondary antioxidants include the organophosphorous (e.g., phosphites,phosphonites) and organosulfur classes of compounds. The phosphorous andsulfur atoms of these compounds react with peroxides to convert theperoxides into alcohols. Examples of secondary antioxidants includeUltranox 626, Ethanox™ 368, 326, and 327; Doverphos™ LPG11, LPG12, DPS-680, 4, 10, S480, S-9228, S-9228T; Evernox™ 168 and 626; Irgafos™ 126and 168; Weston™ DPDP, DPP, EHDP, PDDP, TDP, TLP, and TPP; Mark™ CH 302,CH 55, TNPP, CH66, CH 300, CH 301, CH 302, CH 304, and CH 305; ADK Stab2112, HP-10, PEP-8, PEP-36, 1178, 135A, 1500, 3010, C, and TPP; Weston439, DHOP, DPDP, DPP, DPTDP, EHDP, PDDP, PNPG, PTP, PTP, TDP, TLP, TPP,398, 399, 430, 705, 705T, TLTTP, and TNPP; Alkanox 240, 626, 626A,627AV, 618F, and 619F; and Songnox™ 1680 FF, 1680 PW, and 6280 FF.

In embodiments, the cellulose acetate composition comprises at least onestabilizer, wherein the stabilizer comprises one or more secondaryantioxidants. In embodiments, the stabilizer comprises a firststabilizer component chosen from one or more secondary antioxidants anda second stabilizer component chosen from one or more primaryantioxidants, citric acid or a combination thereof.

In embodiments, the stabilizer comprises one or more secondaryantioxidants in an amount in the range of from 0.01 to 0.8, or 0.01 to0.7, or 0.01 to 0.5, or 0.01 to 0.4, or 0.01 to 0.3, or 0.01 to 0.25, or0.01 to 0.2, or 0.05 to 0.8, or 0.05 to 0.7, or 0.05 to 0.5, or 0.05 to0.4, or 0.05 to 0.3, or 0.05 to 0.25, or 0.05 to 0.2, or 0.08 to 0.8, or0.08 to 0.7, or 0.08 to 0.5, or 0.08 to 0.4, or 0.08 to 0.3, or 0.08 to0.25, or 0.08 to 0.2, in weight percent of the total amount of secondaryantioxidants based on the total weight of the composition. In one classof this embodiment, the stabilizer comprises a secondary antioxidantthat is a phosphite compound. In one class of this embodiment, thestabilizer comprises a secondary antioxidant that is a phosphitecompound and another secondary antioxidant that is DLTDP.

In one subclass of this class, the stabilizer further comprises a secondstabilizer component that comprises one or more primary antioxidants inan amount in the range of from 0.05 to 0.7, or 0.05 to 0.6, or 0.05 to0.5, or 0.05 to 0.4, or 0.05 to 0.3, or 0.1 to 0.6, or 0.1 to 0.5, or0.1 to 0.4, or 0.1 to 0.3, in weight percent of the total amount ofprimary antioxidants based on the total weight of the composition. Inone subclass of this class, the stabilizer further comprises a secondstabilizer component that comprises citric acid in an amount in therange of from 0.05 to 0.2, or 0.05 to 0.15, or 0.05 to 0.1 in weightpercent of the total amount of citric acid based on the total weight ofthe composition. In one subclass of this class, the stabilizer furthercomprises a second stabilizer component that comprises one or moreprimary antioxidants and citric acid in the amounts discussed herein. Inone subclass of this class, the stabilizer comprises less than 0.1 wt %or no primary antioxidants, based on the total weight of thecomposition. In one subclass of this class, the stabilizer comprisesless than 0.05 wt % or no primary antioxidants, based on the totalweight of the composition.

In embodiments, the cellulose acetate composition comprises at least onefiller. In embodiments, the filler is of a type and present in an amountto enhance biodegradability and/or compostability. In embodiments, thecellulose acetate composition comprises at least one filler chosen from:carbohydrates (sugars and salts), cellulosic and organic fillers (woodflour, wood fibers, hemp, carbon, coal particles, graphite, andstarches), mineral and inorganic fillers (calcium carbonate, talc,silica, titanium dioxide, glass fibers, glass spheres, boronitride,aluminum trihydrate, magnesium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, alumina,and clays), food wastes or byproduct (eggshells, distillers grain, andcoffee grounds), desiccants (e.g. calcium sulfate, magnesium sulfate,magnesium oxide, calcium oxide), alkaline fillers (e.g., Na₂CO₃, MgCO₃),or combinations (e.g., mixtures) of these fillers. In embodiments, thecellulose acetate compositions can include at least one filler that alsofunctions as a colorant additive. In embodiments, the colorant additivefiller can be chosen from: carbon, graphite, titanium dioxide,opacifiers, dyes, pigments, toners and combinations thereof. Inembodiments, the cellulose acetate compositions can include at least onefiller that also functions as a stabilizer or flame retardant.

In embodiments, the cellulose acetate composition comprises at least oneplasticizer (as described herein) in an amount from 1 to 40 wt %, or 5to 40 wt %, or 10 to 40 wt %, or 13 to 40 wt %, or 15 to 40 wt %, orgreater than 15 to 40 wt %, or 17 to 40 wt %, or 20 to 40 wt %, or 25 to40 wt %, or 5 to 35 wt %, or 10 to 35 wt %, or 13 to 35 wt %, or 15 to35 wt %, or greater than 15 to 35 wt %, or 17 to 35 wt %, or 20 to 35 wt%, or 5 to 30 wt %, or 10 to 30 wt %, or 13 to 30 wt %, or 15 to 30 wt%, or greater than 15 to 30 wt %, or 17 to 30 wt %, or 5 to 25 wt %, or10 to 25 wt %, or 13 to 25 wt %, or 15 to 25 wt %, or greater than 15 to25 wt %, or 17 to 25 wt %, or 5 to 20 wt %, or 10 to 20 wt %, or 13 to20 wt %, or 15 to 20 wt %, or greater than 15 to 20 wt %, or 17 to 20 wt%, or 5 to 17 wt %, or 10 to 17 wt %, or 13 to 17 wt %, or 15 to 17 wt%, or greater than 15 to 17 wt %, or 5 to less than 17 wt %, or 10 toless than 17 wt %, or 13 to less than 17 wt %, or 15 to less than 17 wt%, all based on the total weight of the cellulose acetate composition.In embodiments, the cellulose acetate composition further comprises atleast one filler (as described herein) in an amount from 1 to 60 wt %,or 5 to 55 wt %, or 5 to 50 wt %, or 5 to 45 wt %, or 5 to 40 wt %, or 5to 35 wt %, or 5 to 30 wt %, or 5 to 25 wt %, or 10 to 55 wt %, or 10 to50 wt %, or 10 to 45 wt %, or 10 to 40 wt %, or 10 to 35 wt %, or 10 to30 wt %, or 10 to 25 wt %, or 15 to 55 wt %, or 15 to 50 wt %, or 15 to45 wt %, or 15 to 40 wt %, or 15 to 35 wt %, or 15 to 30 wt %, or 15 to25 wt %, or 20 to 55 wt %, or 20 to 50 wt %, or 20 to 45 wt %, or 20 to40 wt %, or 20 to 35 wt %, or 20 to 30 wt %, all based on the totalweight of the cellulose acetate composition. In embodiments, the atleast one plasticizer includes or is a food-compliant plasticizer. In anembodiment, the food-compliant plasticizer includes or is triacetin. Inembodiments, the filler includes or is calcium carbonate.

In embodiments, depending on the application, e.g., single use foodcontact applications, the cellulose acetate composition can include atleast one odor modifying additive. In embodiments, depending on theapplication and components used in the cellulose acetate composition,suitable odor modifying additives can be chosen from: vanillin,Pennyroyal M-1178, almond, cinnamyl, spices, spice extracts, volatileorganic compounds or small molecules, and Plastidor. In one embodiment,the odor modifying additive can be vanillin. In embodiments, thecellulose acetate composition can include an odor modifying additive inan amount from 0.01 to 1 wt %, or 0.1 to 0.5 wt %, or 0.1 to 0.25 wt %,or 0.1 to 0.2 wt %, based on the total weight of the composition.Mechanisms for the odor modifying additives can include masking,capturing, complementing or combinations of these.

As discussed above, the cellulose acetate composition can include otheradditives. In embodiments, the cellulose acetate composition can includeat least one compatibilizer. In embodiments, the compatibilizer can beeither a non-reactive compatibilizer or a reactive compatibilizer. Thecompatibilizer can enhance the ability of the cellulose acetate oranother component to reach a desired small particle size to improve thedispersion of the chosen component in the composition. In suchembodiments, depending on the desired formulation, the biodegradablecellulose acetate can either be in the continuous or discontinuous phaseof the dispersion. In embodiments, the compatibilizers used can improvemechanical and/or physical properties of the compositions by modifyingthe interfacial interaction/bonding between the biodegradable celluloseacetate and another component, e.g., other biodegradable polymer.

In embodiments, the cellulose acetate composition comprises acompatibilizer in an amount from about 1 to about 40 wt %, or about 1 toabout 30 wt %, or about 1 to about 20 wt %, or about 1 to about 10 wt %,or about 5 to about 20 wt %, or about 5 to about 10 wt %, or about 10 toabout 30 wt %, or about 10 to about 20 wt %, based on the weight of thecellulose acetate composition.

In embodiments, if desired, the cellulose acetate composition caninclude biodegradation and/or decomposition agents, e.g., hydrolysisassistant or any intentional degradation promoter additives can be addedto or contained in the cellulose acetate composition, added eitherduring manufacture of the biodegradable cellulose acetate (BCA) orsubsequent to its manufacture and melt or solvent blended together withthe BCA to make the cellulose acetate composition. In embodiments,additives can promote hydrolysis by releasing acidic or basic residues,and/or accelerate photo (UV) or oxidative degradation and/or promote thegrowth of selective microbial colony to aid the disintegration andbiodegradation in compost and soil medium. In addition to promoting thedegradation, these additives can have an additional function such asimproving the processability of the article or improving desiredmechanical properties.

One set of examples of possible decomposition agents include inorganiccarbonate, synthetic carbonate, nepheline syenite, talc, magnesiumhydroxide, aluminum hydroxide, diatomaceous earth, natural or syntheticsilica, calcined clay, and the like. In embodiments, it may be desirablethat these additives are dispersed well in the cellulose acetatecomposition matrix. The additives can be used singly, or in acombination of two or more.

Another set of examples of possible decomposition agents are aromaticketones used as an oxidative decomposition agent, includingbenzophenone, anthraquinone, anthrone, acetylbenzophenone,4-octylbenzophenone, and the like. These aromatic ketones may be usedsingly, or in a combination of two or more.

Other examples include transition metal compounds used as oxidativedecomposition agents, such as salts of cobalt or magnesium, e.g.,aliphatic carboxylic acid (C12 to C20) salts of cobalt or magnesium, orcobalt stearate, cobalt oleate, magnesium stearate, and magnesiumoleate; or anatase-form titanium dioxide, or titanium dioxide may beused. Mixed phase titanium dioxide particles may be used in which bothrutile and anatase crystalline structures are present in the sameparticle. The particles of photoactive agent can have a relatively highsurface area, for example from about 10 to about 300 sq. m/g, or from 20to 200 sq. m/g, as measured by the BET surface area method. Thephotoactive agent can be added to the plasticizer if desired. Thesetransition metal compounds can be used singly, or in a combination oftwo or more.

Examples of rare earth compounds that can used as oxidativedecomposition agents include rare earths belonging to periodic tableGroup 3A, and oxides thereof. Specific examples thereof include cerium(Ce), yttrium (Y), neodymium (Nd), rare earth oxides, hydroxides, rareearth sulfates, rare earth nitrates, rare earth acetates, rare earthchlorides, rare earth carboxylates, and the like. More specific examplesthereof include cerium oxide, ceric sulfate, ceric ammonium Sulfate,ceric ammonium nitrate, cerium acetate, lanthanum nitrate, ceriumchloride, cerium nitrate, cerium hydroxide, cerium octylate, lanthanumoxide, yttrium oxide, Scandium oxide, and the like. These rare earthcompounds may be used singly, or in a combination of two or more.

In one embodiment, the BCA composition includes an additive withpro-degradant functionality to enhance biodegradability that comprises atransition metal salt or chemical catalyst, containing transition metalssuch as cobalt, manganese and iron. The transition metal salt cancomprise of tartrate, sterate, oleate, citrate and chloride. Theadditive can further comprise of a free radical scavenging system andone or more inorganic or organic fillers such as chalk, talc, silica,wollastonite, starch, cotton, reclaimed cardboard and plant matter. Theadditive can also comprise an enzyme, a bacterial culture, a swellingagent, CMC, sugar or other energy sources. The additive can alsocomprise hydroxylamine esters and thio compounds.

In certain embodiments, other possible biodegradation and/ordecomposition agents can include swelling agents and disintegrates.Swelling agents can be hydrophilic materials that increase in volumeafter absorbing water and exert pressure on the surrounding matrix.Disintegrants can be additives that promote the breakup of a matrix intosmaller fragments in an aqueous environment. Examples include mineralsand polymers, including crosslinked or modified polymers and swellablehydrogels. In embodiments, the BCA composition may includewater-swellable minerals or clays and their salts, such as laponite andbentonite; hydrophilic polymers, such as poly(acrylic acid) and salts,poly(acrylamide), poly(ethylene glycol) and poly(vinyl alcohol);polysaccharides and gums, such as starch, alginate, pectin, chitosan,psyllium, xanthan gum; guar gum, locust bean gum; and modified polymers,such as crosslinked PVP, sodium starch glycolate, carboxymethylcellulose, gelatinized starch, croscarmellose sodium; or combinations ofthese additives.

In embodiments, the BCA composition can comprise a basic additive thatcan increase decomposition or degradation of the composition or articlemade from (or comprising) the composition. Examples of basic additivesthat may be used as oxidative decomposition agents include alkalineearth metal oxides, alkaline earth metal hydroxides, alkaline earthmetal carbonates, alkali metal carbonates, alkali metal bicarbonates,ZnO and basic Al₂O₃. In embodiments, at least one basic additive can beMgO, Mg(OH)₂, MgCO₃, CaO, Ca(OH)₂, CaCO₃, NaHCO₃, Na₂CO₃, K₂CO₃, ZnOKHCO₃ or basic Al₂O₃. In one aspect, alkaline earth metal oxides, ZnOand basic Al₂O₃ can be used as a basic additive. In embodiments,combinations of different basic additives, or basic additives with otheradditives, can be used. In embodiments, the basic additive has a pH inthe range from greater than 7.0 to 10.0, or 7.1 to 9.5, or 7.1 to 9.0,or 7.1 to 8.5, or 7.1 to 8.0, measured in a 1 wt % mixture/solution ofwater.

Examples of organic acid additives that can be used as oxidativedecomposition agents include acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid,valeric acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, oxalic acid, malic acid,benzoic acid, formate, acetate, propionate, butyrate, valerate citrate,tartarate, oxalate, malate, maleic acid, maleate, phthalic acid,phthalate, benzoate, and combinations thereof.

Examples of other hydrophilic polymers or biodegradation promoters mayinclude glycols, polyglycols, polyethers, and polyalcohols or otherbiodegradable polymers such as poly(glycolic acid), poly(lactic acid),polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, polydioxanes, polyoxalates,poly(α-esters), polycarbonates, polyanhydrides, polyacetals,polycaprolactones, poly(orthoesters), polyamino acids, aliphaticpolyesters such as poly(butylene)succinate, poly(ethylene)succinate,starch, regenerated cellulose, or aliphatic-aromatic polyesters such asPBAT.

In embodiments, examples of colorants can include carbon black, ironoxides such as red or blue iron oxides, titanium dioxide, silicondioxide, cadmium red, calcium carbonate, kaolin clay, aluminumhydroxide, barium sulfate, zinc oxide, aluminum oxide,; and organicpigments such as azo and diazo and triazo pigments, condensed azo, azolakes, naphthol pigments, anthrapyrimidine, benzimidazolone, carbazole,diketopyrrolopyrrole, flavanthrone, indigoid pigments, isoindolinone,isoindoline, isoviolanthrone, metal complex pigments, oxazine, perylene,perinone, pyranthrone, pyrazoloquinazolone, quinophthalone,triarylcarbonium pigments, triphendioxazine, xanthene, thioindigo,indanthrone, isoindanthrone, anthanthrone, anthraquinone,isodibenzanthrone, triphendioxazine, quinacridone and phthalocyanineseries, especially copper phthalocyanme and its nuclear halogenatedderivatives, and also lakes of acid, basic and mordant dyes, andisoindolinone pigments, as well as plant and vegetable dyes, and anyother available colorant or dye.

In embodiments, luster control agents for adjusting the glossiness andfillers can include silica, talc, clay, barium sulfate, bariumcarbonate, calcium sulfate, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, andthe like.

Suitable flame retardants can include silica, metal oxides, phosphates,catechol phosphates, resorcinol phosphates, borates, inorganic hydrates,and aromatic polyhalides.

Antifungal and/or antibacterial agents include polyene antifungals(e.g., natamycin, rimocidin, filipin, nystatin, amphotericin B,candicin, and hamycin), imidazole antifungals such as miconazole(available as MICATIN® from WellSpring Pharmaceutical Corporation),ketoconazole (commercially available as NIZORAL® from McNeil consumerHealthcare), clotrimazole (commercially available as LOTRAMIN® andLOTRAMIN AF® available from Merck and CANESTEN® available from Bayer),econazole, omoconazole, bifonazole, butoconazole, fenticonazole,isoconazole, oxiconazole, sertaconazole (commercially available asERTACZO® from OrthoDematologics), sulconazole, and tioconazole; triazoleantifungals such as fluconazole, itraconazole, isavuconazole,ravuconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole, terconazole, andalbaconazole), thiazole antifungals (e.g., abafungin), allylamineantifungals (e.g., terbinafine (commercially available as LAMISIL® fromNovartis Consumer Health, Inc.), naftifine (commercially available asNAFTIN® available from Merz Pharmaceuticals), and butenafine(commercially available as LOTRAMIN ULTRA® from Merck), echinocandinantifungals (e.g., anidulafungin, caspofungin, and micafungin),polygodial, benzoic acid, ciclopirox, tolnaftate (e.g., commerciallyavailable as TINACTIN® from MDS Consumer Care, Inc.), undecylenic acid,flucytosine, 5-fluorocytosine, griseofulvin, haloprogin, caprylic acid,and any combination thereof.

Viscosity modifiers having the purpose of modifying the melt flow indexor viscosity of the biodegradable cellulose acetate composition that canbe used include polyethylene glycols and polypropylene glycols, andglycerin.

In embodiments, other components that can be included in the BCAcomposition may function as release agents or lubricants (e.g. fattyacids, ethylene glycol distearate), anti-block or slip agents (e.g.fatty acid esters, metal stearate salts (for example, zinc stearate),and waxes), antifogging agents (e.g. surfactants), thermal stabilizers(e.g. epoxy stabilizers, derivatives of epoxidized soybean oil (ESBO),linseed oil, and sunflower oil), anti-static agents, foaming agents,biocides, impact modifiers, or reinforcing fibers. More than onecomponent may be present in the BCA composition. It should be noted thatan additional component may serve more than one function in the BCAcomposition. The different (or specific) functionality of any particularadditive (or component) to the BCA composition can be dependent on itsphysical properties (e.g., molecular weight, solubility, melttemperature, Tg, etc.) and/or the amount of such additive/component inthe overall composition. For example, polyethylene glycol can functionas a plasticizer at one molecular weight or as a hydrophilic agent (withlittle or no plasticizing effect) at another molecular weight.

In embodiments, fragrances can be added if desired. Examples offragrances can include spices, spice extracts, herb extracts, essentialoils, smelling salts, volatile organic compounds, volatile smallmolecules, methyl formate, methyl acetate, methyl butyrate, ethylacetate, ethyl butyrate, isoamyl acetate, pentyl butyrate, pentylpentanoate, octyl acetate, myrcene, geraniol, nerol, citral,citronellal, citronellol, linalool, nerolidol, limonene, camphor,terpineol, alpha-ionone, thujone, benzaldehyde, eugenol, isoeugenol,cinnamaldehyde, ethyl maltol, vanilla, vanillin, cinnamyl alcohol,anisole, anethole, estragole, thymol, furaneol, methanol, rosemary,lavender, citrus, freesia, apricot blossoms, greens, peach, jasmine,rosewood, pine, thyme, oakmoss, musk, vetiver, myrrh, blackcurrant,bergamot, grapefruit, acacia, passiflora, sandalwood, tonka bean,mandarin, neroli, violet leaves, gardenia, red fruits, ylang-ylang,acacia farnesiana, mimosa, tonka bean, woods, ambergris, daffodil,hyacinth, narcissus, black currant bud, iris, raspberry, lily of thevalley, sandalwood, vetiver, cedarwood, neroli, strawberry, carnation,oregano, honey, civet, heliotrope, caramel, coumarin, patchouli,dewberry, helonial, coriander, pimento berry, labdanum, cassie,aldehydes, orchid, amber, orris, tuberose, palmarosa, cinnamon, nutmeg,moss, styrax, pineapple, foxglove, tulip, wisteria, clematis, ambergris,gums, resins, civet, plum, castoreum, civet, myrrh, geranium, roseviolet, jonquil, spicy carnation, galbanum, petitgrain, iris,honeysuckle, pepper, raspberry, benzoin, mango, coconut, hesperides,castoreum, osmanthus, mousse de chene, nectarine, mint, anise, cinnamon,orris, apricot, plumeria, marigold, rose otto, narcissus, tolu balsam,frankincense, amber, orange blossom, bourbon vetiver, opopanax, whitemusk, papaya, sugar candy, jackfruit, honeydew, lotus blossom, muguet,mulberry, absinthe, ginger, juniper berries, spicebush, peony, violet,lemon, lime, hibiscus, white rum, basil, lavender, balsamics,fo-ti-tieng, osmanthus, karo karunde, white orchid, calla lilies, whiterose, rhubrum lily, tagetes, ambergris, ivy, grass, seringa, spearmint,clary sage, cottonwood, grapes, brimbelle, lotus, cyclamen, orchid,glycine, tiare flower, ginger lily, green osmanthus, passion flower,blue rose, bay rum, cassie, African tagetes, Anatolian rose, Auvergnenarcissus, British broom, British broom chocolate, Bulgarian rose,Chinese patchouli, Chinese gardenia, Calabrian mandarin, Comoros Islandtuberose, Ceylonese cardamom, Caribbean passion fruit, Damascena rose,Georgia peach, white Madonna lily, Egyptian jasmine, Egyptian marigold,Ethiopian civet, Farnesian cassie, Florentine iris, French jasmine,French jonquil, French hyacinth, Guinea oranges, Guyana wacapua, Grassepetitgrain, Grasse rose, Grasse tuberose, Haitian vetiver, Hawaiianpineapple, Israeli basil, Indian sandalwood, Indian Ocean vanilla,Italian bergamot, Italian iris, Jamaican pepper, May rose, Madagascarylang-ylang, Madagascar vanilla, Moroccan jasmine, Moroccan rose,Moroccan oakmoss, Moroccan orange blossom, Mysore sandalwood, Orientalrose, Russian leather, Russian coriander, Sicilian mandarin, SouthAfrican marigold, South American tonka bean, Singapore patchouli,Spanish orange blossom, Sicilian lime, Reunion Island vetiver, Turkishrose, Thai benzoin, Tunisian orange blossom, Yugoslavian oakmoss,Virginian cedarwood, Utah yarrow, West Indian rosewood, and the like,and any combination thereof.

In embodiments, the cellulose acetate compositions can be extrudable,moldable, castable, thermoformable, or can be 3D printed. Inembodiments, the cellulose acetate composition is melt-processable andcan be formed into useful molded articles, e.g., single use food contactarticles, that are biodegradable and/or compostable (i.e., either passindustrial or home compostability tests/criterial as discussed herein).In embodiments, the articles are non-persistent. By environmentally“non-persistent” is meant that when biodegradable cellulose acetatereaches an advanced level of disintegration, it becomes amenable tototal consumption by the natural microbial population. The degradationof biodegradable cellulose acetate ultimately leads its conversion tocarbon dioxide, water and biomass. In embodiments, articles comprisingthe cellulose acetate compositions (discussed herein) are provided thathave a maximum thickness up to 150 mils, or 140 mils, or 130 mils, or120 mils, or 110 mils, or 100 mils, or 90 mils, or 80 mils, or 70 mils,or 60 mils, or 50 mils, or 40 mils, or 30 mils, or 25 mils, or 20 mils,or 15 mils, or 10 mils, and are biodegradable and compostable. Inembodiments, articles comprising the cellulose acetate compositions(discussed herein) are provided that have a maximum thickness up to 150mils, or 140 mils, or 130 mils, or 120 mils, or 110 mils, to 100 mils,or 90 mils, or 80 mils, or 70 mils, or 60 mils, or 50 mils, or 40 mils,or 30 mils, or 25 mils, or 20 mils, or 15 mils, or 10 mils, and areenvironmentally non-persistent.

In embodiments, the cellulose acetate composition and any article madefrom or comprising such composition comprises biodegradable celluloseacetate (BCA) that contains some recycle content. In embodiments, therecycle content is provided by a reactant derived from recycled materialthat is the source of one or more acetyl groups on the BCA. Inembodiments, the reactant is derived from recycled plastic. Inembodiments, the reactant is derived from recycled plastic contentsyngas. By “recycled plastic content syngas” is meant syngas obtainedfrom a synthesis gas operation utilizing a feedstock that contains atleast some content of recycled plastics, as described in the variousembodiments more fully herein below. In embodiments, the recycledplastic content syngas can be made in accordance with any of theprocesses for producing syngas described herein; can comprise, orconsist of, any of the syngas compositions or syngas composition streamsdescribed herein; or can be made from any of the feedstock compositionsdescribed herein.

In embodiments, the feedstock (for the synthesis gas operation) can bein the form of a combination of one or more particulated fossil fuelsources and particulated recycled plastics. In one embodiment or in anyof the mentioned embodiments, the solid fossil fuel source can includecoal. In embodiments, the feedstock is fed to a gasifier along with anoxidizer gas, and the feedstock is converted to syngas.

In embodiments, the recycled plastic content syngas is utilized to makeat least one chemical intermediate in a reaction scheme to make aRecycle BCA. In embodiments, the recycled plastic content syngas can bea component of feedstock (used to make at least one CA intermediate)that includes other sources of syngas, hydrogen, carbon monoxide, orcombinations thereof. In one embodiment or in any of the mentionedembodiments, the only source of syngas used to make the CA intermediatesis the recycled plastic content syngas.

In embodiments, the CA intermediates made using the recycled contentsyngas, e.g., recycled plastic content syngas, can be chosen frommethanol, acetic acid, methyl acetate, acetic anhydride and combinationsthereof. In embodiments, the CA intermediates can be a at least onereactant or at least one product in one or more of the followingreactions: (1) syngas conversion to methanol; (2) syngas conversion toacetic acid; (3) methanol conversion to acetic acid, e.g., carbonylationof methanol to produce acetic acid; (4) producing methyl acetate frommethanol and acetic acid; and (5) conversion of methyl acetate to aceticanhydride, e.g., carbonylation of methyl acetate and methanol to aceticacid and acetic anhydride.

In embodiments, recycled plastic content syngas is used to produce atleast one cellulose reactant. In embodiments, the recycled plasticcontent syngas is used to produce at least one Recycle BCA.

In embodiments, the recycled plastic content syngas is utilized to makeacetic anhydride. In embodiments, syngas that comprises recycled plasticcontent syngas is first converted to methanol and this methanol is thenused in a reaction scheme to make acetic anhydride. “RPS aceticanhydride” refers to acetic anhydride that is derived from recycledplastic content syngas. Derived from means that at least some of thefeedstock source material (that is used in any reaction scheme to make aCA intermediate) has some content of recycled plastic content syngas.

In embodiments, the RPS acetic anhydride is utilized as a CAintermediate reactant for the esterification of cellulose to prepare aRecycle BCA, as discussed more fully above. In embodiments, the RPSacetic acid is utilized as a reactant to prepare cellulose acetate orcellulose diacetate.

In embodiments, the Recycle CA is prepared from a cellulose reactantthat comprises acetic anhydride that is derived from recycled plasticcontent syngas.

In embodiments, the recycled plastic content syngas comprisesgasification products from a gasification feedstock. In an embodiment,the gasification products are produced by a gasification process using agasification feedstock that comprises recycled plastics. In embodiments,the gasification feedstock comprises coal.

In embodiments, the gasification feedstock comprises a liquid slurrythat comprises coal and recycled plastics. In embodiments, thegasification process comprises gasifying said gasification feedstock inthe presence of oxygen.

In one aspect, a Recycle BCA composition is provided that comprises atleast one biodegradable cellulose ester having at least one substituenton an anhydroglucose unit (AGU) derived from one or more chemicalintermediates, at least one of which is obtained at least in part fromrecycled plastic content syngas.

In embodiments, the Recycle BCA is biodegradable and contains contentderived from a renewable source, e.g., cellulose from wood or cottonlinter, and content derived from a recycled material source, e.g.,recycled plastics. Thus, in embodiments, a melt processible material isprovided that is biodegradable and contains both renewable and recycledcontent, i.e., made from renewable and recycled sources.

The biodegradable cellulose acetate useful in embodiments of the presentinvention can have a degree of substitution in the range of from 1.0 to2.5. In some cases, the cellulose acetate as described herein may havean average degree of substitution of at least about 1.0, 1.05, 1.1,1.15, 1.2, 1.25, 1.3, 1.35, 1.4, 1.45 or 1.5 and/or not more than about2.5, 2.45, 2.4, 2.35, 2.3, 2.25, 2.2, 2.15, 2.1, 2.05, 2.0, 1.95, 1.9,1.85, 1.8 or 1.75.

In embodiments, the biodegradable cellulose acetate may have a numberaverage molecular weight (Mn) of not more than 100,000, or not more than90,000, measured using gel permeation chromatography with a polystyreneequivalent and using N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) as the solvent. Insome cases, the biodegradable cellulose acetate may have a Mn of atleast about 10,000, at least about 20,000, 25,000, 30,000, 35,000,40,000, or 45,000 and/or not more than about 100,000, 95,000, 90,000,85,000, 80,000, 75,000, 70,000, 65,000, 60,000, or 50,000.

In embodiments, the BCA containing article can be biodegradable and havea certain degree of degradation. The degree of degradation can becharacterized by the weight loss of a sample over a given period ofexposure to certain environmental conditions. In some cases, the BCAcomposition can exhibit a weight loss of at least about 5, 10, 15, or 20percent after burial in soil for 60 days and/or a weight loss of atleast about 15, 20, 25, 30, or 35 percent after 15 days of exposure to atypical municipal composter. However, the rate of degradation may varydepending on the particular end use of the article, as well as thecomposition of the article, and the specific test. Exemplary testconditions are provided in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,970,988 and 6,571,802.

In some embodiments, the BCA composition may be in the form ofbiodegradable single use (formed/molded) articles. It has been foundthat BCA compositions as described herein can exhibit enhanced levels ofenvironmental non-persistence, characterized by better-than-expecteddegradation under various environmental conditions. BCA containingarticles described herein may meet or exceed passing standards set byinternational test methods and authorities for industrialcompostability, home compostability, and/or soil biodegradability.

To be considered “compostable,” a material must meet the following fourcriteria: (1) the material should pass biodegradation requirement in atest under controlled composting conditions at elevated temperature (58°C.) according to ISO 14855-1 (2012) which correspond to an absolute 90%biodegradation or a relative 90% to a control polymer, (2) the materialtested under aerobic composting condition according to ISO16929 (2013)must reach a 90% disintegration; (3) the test material must fulfill allthe requirements on volatile solids, heavy metals and fluorine asstipulated by ASTM D6400 (2012), EN 13432 (2000) and ISO 17088 (2012);and (4) the material should not cause negative on plant growth. As usedherein, the term “biodegradable” generally refers to the biologicalconversion and consumption of organic molecules. Biodegradability is anintrinsic property of the material itself, and the material can exhibitdifferent degrees of biodegradability, depending on the specificconditions to which it is exposed. The term “disintegrable” refers tothe tendency of a material to physically decompose into smallerfragments when exposed to certain conditions. Disintegration dependsboth on the material itself, as well as the physical size andconfiguration of the article being tested. Ecotoxicity measures theimpact of the material on plant life, and the heavy metal content of thematerial is determined according to the procedures laid out in thestandard test method.

The CA composition (or article comprising same) can exhibit abiodegradation of at least 70 percent in a period of not more than 50days, when tested under aerobic composting conditions at ambienttemperature (28° C.±2° C.) according to ISO 14855-1 (2012). In somecases, the CA composition (or article comprising same) can exhibit abiodegradation of at least 70 percent in a period of not more than 49,48, 47, 46, 45, 44, 43, 42, 41, 40, 39, 38, or 37 days when tested underthese conditions, also called “home composting conditions.” Theseconditions may not be aqueous or anaerobic. In some cases, the CAcomposition (or article comprising same) can exhibit a totalbiodegradation of at least about 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80,81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, or 88 percent, when tested under accordingto ISO 14855-1 (2012) for a period of 50 days under home compostingconditions. This may represent a relative biodegradation of at leastabout 95, 97, 99, 100, 101, 102, or 103 percent, when compared tocellulose subjected to identical test conditions.

To be considered “biodegradable,” under home composting conditionsaccording to the French norm NF T 51-800 and the Australian standard AS5810, a material must exhibit a biodegradation of at least 90 percent intotal (e.g., as compared to the initial sample), or a biodegradation ofat least 90 percent of the maximum degradation of a suitable referencematerial after a plateau has been reached for both the reference andtest item. The maximum test duration for biodegradation under homecompositing conditions is 1 year. The CA composition as described hereinmay exhibit a biodegradation of at least 90 percent within not more than1 year, measured according 14855-1 (2012) under home compostingconditions. In some cases, the CA composition (or article comprisingsame) may exhibit a biodegradation of at least about 91, 92, 93, 94, 95,96, 97, 98, 99, or 99.5 percent within not more than 1 year, or CAcomposition (or article comprising same) may exhibit 100 percentbiodegradation within not more than 1 year, measured according 14855-1(2012) under home composting conditions.

Additionally, or in the alternative, the CA composition (or articlecomprising same) described herein may exhibit a biodegradation of atleast 90 percent within not more than about 350, 325, 300, 275, 250,225, 220, 210, 200, 190, 180, 170, 160, 150, 140, 130, 120, 110, 100,90, 80, 70, 60, or 50 days, measured according 14855-1 (2012) under homecomposting conditions. In some cases, the CA composition (or articlecomprising same) can be at least about 97, 98, 99, or 99.5 percentbiodegradable within not more than about 70, 65, 60, or 50 days oftesting according to ISO 14855-1 (2012) under home compostingconditions. As a result, the CA composition (or article comprising same)may be considered biodegradable according to, for example, FrenchStandard NF T 51-800 and Australian Standard AS 5810 when tested underhome composting conditions.

The CA composition (or article comprising same) can exhibit abiodegradation of at least 60 percent in a period of not more than 45days, when tested under aerobic composting conditions at a temperatureof 58° C. (±2° C.) according to ISO 14855-1 (2012). In some cases, theCA composition (or article comprising same) can exhibit a biodegradationof at least 60 percent in a period of not more than 44, 43, 42, 41, 40,39, 38, 37, 36, 35, 34, 33, 32, 31, 30, 29, 28, or 27 days when testedunder these conditions, also called “industrial composting conditions.”These may not be aqueous or anaerobic conditions. In some cases, the CAcomposition (or article comprising same) can exhibit a totalbiodegradation of at least about 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91,92, 93, 94, or 95 percent, when tested under according to ISO 14855-1(2012) for a period of 45 days under industrial composting conditions.This may represent a relative biodegradation of at least about 95, 97,99, 100, 102, 105, 107, 110, 112, 115, 117, or 119 percent, whencompared to the same CA composition (or article comprising same)subjected to identical test conditions.

To be considered “biodegradable,” under industrial composting conditionsaccording to ASTM D6400 and ISO 17088, at least 90 percent of theorganic carbon in the whole item (or for each constituent present in anamount of more than 1% by dry mass) must be converted to carbon dioxideby the end of the test period when compared to the control or inabsolute. According to European standard ED 13432 (2000), a materialmust exhibit a biodegradation of at least 90 percent in total, or abiodegradation of at least 90 percent of the maximum degradation of asuitable reference material after a plateau has been reached for boththe reference and test item. The maximum test duration forbiodegradability under industrial compositing conditions is 180 days.The CA composition (or article comprising same) described herein mayexhibit a biodegradation of at least 90 percent within not more than 180days, measured according 14855-1 (2012) under industrial compostingconditions. In some cases, the CA composition (or article comprisingsame) may exhibit a biodegradation of at least about 91, 92, 93, 94, 95,96, 97, 98, 99, or 99.5 percent within not more than 180 days, or CAcomposition (or article comprising same) may exhibit 100 percentbiodegradation within not more than 180 days, measured according 14855-1(2012) under industrial composting conditions.

Additionally, or in the alternative, CA composition (or articlecomprising same) described herein may exhibit a biodegradation of least90 percent within not more than about 175, 170, 165, 160, 155, 150, 145,140, 135, 130, 125, 120, 115, 110, 105, 100, 95, 90, 85, 80, 75, 70, 65,60, 55, 50, or 45 days, measured according 14855-1 (2012) underindustrial composting conditions. In some cases, the CA composition (orarticle comprising same) can be at least about 97, 98, 99, or 99.5percent biodegradable within not more than about 65, 60, 55, 50, or 45days of testing according to ISO 14855-1 (2012) under industrialcomposting conditions. As a result, the CA composition (or articlecomprising same) described herein may be considered biodegradableaccording ASTM D6400 and ISO 17088 when tested under industrialcomposting conditions.

The CA composition (or article comprising same) may exhibit abiodegradation in soil of at least 60 percent within not more than 130days, measured according to ISO 17556 (2012) under aerobic conditions atambient temperature. In some cases, CA composition (or articlecomprising same) can exhibit a biodegradation of at least 60 percent ina period of not more than 130, 120, 110, 100, 90, 80, or 75 days whentested under these conditions, also called “soil composting conditions.”These may not be aqueous or anaerobic conditions. In some cases, the CAcomposition (or article comprising same) can exhibit a totalbiodegradation of at least about 65, 70, 72, 75, 77, 80, 82, or 85percent, when tested under according to ISO 17556 (2012) for a period of195 days under soil composting conditions. This may represent a relativebiodegradation of at least about 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, or 95 percent, whencompared to the same CA composition (or article comprising same)subjected to identical test conditions.

In order to be considered “biodegradable,” under soil compostingconditions according the OK biodegradable SOIL conformity mark ofVinçotte and the DIN Geprüft Biodegradable in soil certification schemeof DIN CERTCO, a material must exhibit a biodegradation of at least 90percent in total (e.g., as compared to the initial sample), or abiodegradation of at least 90 percent of the maximum degradation of asuitable reference material after a plateau has been reached for boththe reference and test item. The maximum test duration forbiodegradability under soil compositing conditions is 2 years. The CAcomposition (or article comprising same) as described herein may exhibita biodegradation of at least 90 percent within not more than 2 years,1.75 years, 1 year, 9 months, or 6 months measured according ISO 17556(2012) under soil composting conditions. In some cases, the CAcomposition (or article comprising same) may exhibit a biodegradation ofat least about 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, or 99.5 percentwithin not more than 2 years, or CA composition (or article comprisingsame) may exhibit 100 percent biodegradation within not more than 2years, measured according ISO 17556 (2012) under soil compostingconditions.

Additionally, or in the alternative, CA composition (or articlecomprising same) described herein may exhibit a biodegradation of atleast 90 percent within not more than about 700, 650, 600, 550, 500,450, 400, 350, 300, 275, 250, 240, 230, 220, 210, 200, or 195 days,measured according 17556 (2012) under soil composting conditions. Insome cases, the CA composition (or article comprising same) can be atleast about 97, 98, 99, or 99.5 percent biodegradable within not morethan about 225, 220, 215, 210, 205, 200, or 195 days of testingaccording to ISO 17556 (2012) under soil composting conditions. As aresult, the CA composition (or article comprising same) described hereinmay meet the requirements to receive The OK biodegradable SOILconformity mark of Vingotte and to meet the standards of the DIN GeprüftBiodegradable in soil certification scheme of DIN CERTCO.

In some embodiments, CA composition (or article comprising same) of thepresent invention may include less than 1, 0.75, 0.50, or 0.25 weightpercent of components of unknown biodegradability. In some cases, the CAcomposition (or article comprising same) described herein may include nocomponents of unknown biodegradability.

In addition to being biodegradable under industrial and/or homecomposting conditions, CA composition (or article comprising same) asdescribed herein may also be compostable under home and/or industrialconditions. As described previously, a material is consideredcompostable if it meets or exceeds the requirements set forth in EN13432 for biodegradability, ability to disintegrate, heavy metalcontent, and ecotoxicity. The CA composition (or article comprisingsame) described herein may exhibit sufficient compostability under homeand/or industrial composting conditions to meet the requirements toreceive the OK compost and OK compost HOME conformity marks fromVingotte.

In some cases, the CA composition (or article comprising same) describedherein may have a volatile solids concentration, heavy metals andfluorine content that fulfill all of the requirements laid out by EN13432 (2000). Additionally, the CA composition (or article comprisingsame) may not cause a negative effect on compost quality (includingchemical parameters and ecotoxicity tests).

In some cases, the CA composition (or article comprising same) canexhibit a disintegration of at least 90 percent within not more than 26weeks, measured according to ISO 16929 (2013) under industrialcomposting conditions. In some cases, the CA composition (or articlecomprising same) may exhibit a disintegration of at least about 91, 92,93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, or 99.5 percent under industrial compostingconditions within not more than 26 weeks, or CA composition (or articlecomprising same) may be 100 percent disintegrated under industrialcomposting conditions within not more than 26 weeks. Alternatively, orin addition, the CA composition (or article comprising same) may exhibita disintegration of at least 90 percent under industrial compositingconditions within not more than about 26, 25, 24, 23, 22, 21, 20, 19,18, 17, 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, or 10 weeks, measured according to ISO16929 (2013). In some cases, the CA composition (or article comprisingsame) described herein may be at least 97, 98, 99, or 99.5 percentdisintegrated within not more than 12, 11, 10, 9, or 8 weeks underindustrial composting conditions, measured according to ISO 16929(2013).

In some cases, the CA composition (or article comprising same) canexhibit a disintegration of at least 90 percent within not more than 26weeks, measured according to ISO 16929 (2013) under home compostingconditions. In some cases, the CA composition (or article comprisingsame) may exhibit a disintegration of at least about 91, 92, 93, 94, 95,96, 97, 98, 99, or 99.5 percent under home composting conditions withinnot more than 26 weeks, or the CA composition (or article comprisingsame) may be 100 percent disintegrated under home composting conditionswithin not more than 26 weeks. Alternatively, or in addition, the mayexhibit a disintegration of at least 90 percent within not more thanabout 26, 25, 24, 23, 22, 21, 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, or 15 weeks under homecomposting conditions, measured according to ISO 16929 (2013). In somecases, the CA composition (or article comprising same) described hereinmay be at least 97, 98, 99, or 99.5 percent disintegrated within notmore than 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15, 14, 13, or 12 weeks, measured underhome composting conditions according to ISO 16929 (2013).

In embodiments or in combination with any other embodiments, when the CAcomposition is formed into a film having a thickness of 0.13, or 0.25.or 0.38, or 0.51, or 0.64, or 0.76, or 0.89, or 1.02, or 1.14, or 1.27,or 1.40, or 1.52 mm, the film exhibits greater than 90% disintegrationafter 12 weeks according to Disintegration Test Protocol, as describedin the specification or in the alternative according to ISO 16929(2013). In certain embodiments, when the CA composition is formed into afilm having a thickness of 0.76, or 0.89, or 1.02, or 1.14, or 1.27, or1.40, or 1.52 mm, the film exhibits greater than 90% disintegrationafter 12 weeks according to Disintegration Test Protocol, as describedin the specification or in the alternative according to ISO 16929(2013). In certain embodiments, when the CA composition is formed into afilm having a thickness of 0.13, or 0.25. or 0.38, or 0.51, or 0.64, or0.76, or 0.89, or 1.02, or 1.14, or 1.27, or 1.40, or 1.52 mm, the filmexhibits greater than 90, or 95, or 96, or 97, or 98, or 99%disintegration after 12 weeks according to Disintegration Test Protocol,as described in the specification or in the alternative according to ISO16929 (2013). In certain embodiments, when the CA composition is formedinto a film having a thickness of 0.13, or 0.25. or 0.38, or 0.51, or0.64, or 0.76, or 0.89, or 1.02, or 1.14, or 1.27, or 1.40, or 1.52 mm,the film exhibits greater than 90, or 95, or 96, or 97, or 98, or 99%disintegration after 8, or 9, or 10, or 11, or 12, or 13, or 14, or 15,or 16 weeks according to Disintegration Test Protocol, as described inthe specification or in the alternative according to ISO 16929 (2013).

In some embodiments, the CA composition (or article comprising same)described herein may be substantially free of photodegradation agents.For example, the CA composition (or article comprising same) may includenot more than about 1, 0.75, 0.50, 0.25, 0.10, 0.05, 0.025, 0.01, 0.005,0.0025, or 0.001 weight percent of photodegradation agent, based on thetotal weight of the CA composition (or article comprising same), or theCA composition (or article comprising same) may include nophotodegradation agents. Examples of such photodegradation agentsinclude, but are not limited to, pigments which act as photooxidationcatalysts and are optionally augmented by the presence of one or moremetal salts, oxidizable promoters, and combinations thereof. Pigmentscan include coated or uncoated anatase or rutile titanium dioxide, whichmay be present alone or in combination with one or more of theaugmenting components such as, for example, various types of metals.Other examples of photodegradation agents include benzoins, benzoinalkyl ethers, benzophenone and its derivatives, acetophenone and itsderivatives, quinones, thioxanthones, phthalocyanine and otherphotosensitizers, ethylene-carbon monoxide copolymer, aromaticketone-metal salt sensitizers, and combinations thereof.

In an aspect, biodegradable and/or compostable articles are providedthat comprise the CA compositions, as described herein. In embodiments,the articles are made from moldable thermoplastic material comprisingthe CA compositions, as described herein.

In embodiments, the articles are single use food contact articles.Examples of such articles that can be made with the CA compositionsinclude cups, trays, multi-compartment trays, clamshell packaging, candysticks, films, sheets, trays and lids (e.g., thermoformed), straws,plates, bowls, portion cups, food packaging, liquid carrying containers,solid or gel carrying containers, and cutlery. In embodiments, thearticles can be horticultural articles. Examples of such articles thatcan be made with the CA compositions include plant pots, plant tags,mulch films, and agricultural ground cover.

In another aspect, a CA composition is provided that comprises RecycleBCA prepared by an integrated process which comprises the processingsteps of: (1) preparing a recycled plastic content syngas in a synthesisgas operation utilizing a feedstock that contains a solid fossil fuelsource and at least some content of recycled plastics; (2) preparing atleast one chemical intermediate from said syngas; (3) reacting saidchemical intermediate in a reaction scheme to prepare at least onecellulose reactant for preparing a Recycle BCA, and/or selecting saidchemical intermediate to be at least one cellulose reactant forpreparing a Recycle BCA; and (4) reacting said at least one cellulosereactant to prepare said Recycle BCA; wherein said Recycle BCA comprisesat least one substituent on an anhydroglucose unit (AGU) derived fromrecycled plastic content syngas.

In embodiments, the processing steps (1) to (4) are carried out in asystem that is in fluid and/or gaseous communication (i.e., includingthe possibility of a combination of fluid and gaseous communication). Itshould be understood that the chemical intermediates, in one or more ofthe reaction schemes for producing Recycle BCAs starting from recycledplastic content syngas, may be temporarily stored in storage vessels andlater reintroduced to the integrated process system.

In embodiments, the at least one chemical intermediate is chosen frommethanol, methyl acetate, acetic anhydride, acetic acid, or combinationsthereof. In embodiments, one chemical intermediate is methanol, and themethanol is used in a reaction scheme to make a second chemicalintermediate that is acetic anhydride. In embodiments, the cellulosereactant is acetic anhydride.

In embodiments, the cellulose ester composition comprises BCA (asdescribed herein), a plasticizer composition and a stabilizercomposition, wherein the plasticizer composition comprises one or morefood grade plasticizers and is present in an amount from 13 to 25, or 14to 25, or 15 to 25, or 16 to 25, or 17 to 25, or 13 to 23, or 14 to 22,or 15 to 23, or 13 to 20, or 14 to 20, or 15 to 20, or 16 to 20, or 17to 20, or 13 to 17, or 14 to 17, or 15 to 17, or 13 to less than 17, or14 to less than 17, or 15 to less than 17 wt %, based on the totalweight of the cellulose ester composition; and wherein the stabilizercomposition comprises one or more secondary antioxidants and is presentin an amount from 0.08 to 0.8, or 0.08 to 0.7, or 0.08 to 0.6 wt %,based on the total weight of the cellulose ester composition.

In embodiments, the plasticizer composition comprises triacetin in anamount from 15 to 20, or 16 to 19 wt %, based on the total weight of thecellulose ester composition; and the stabilizer composition comprisesone or more secondary antioxidants in an amount from 0.1 to 0.4, or 0.1to 0.3 wt % and one or more primary antioxidants in an amount from 0.1to 0.4, or 0.2 to 0.4 wt %, where wt % is based on the total weight ofthe cellulose ester composition. In one class of this embodiment, theone or more secondary antioxidants comprises a phosphite compound (e.g.,Weston 705T or Doverphos S-9228T), DLTDP or a combination thereof andthe one or more primary antioxidants comprises Irganox 1010, BHT or acombination thereof. In embodiments, the cellulose ester composition hasa b* less than 40, or less than 35, or less than 30, or less than 25, orless than 20, or less than 15 after normal cycle time during injectionmolding (as described in the examples); or has a b* less than 40, orless than 35, or less than 30, or less than 25, or less than 20 afterdoubling the cycle time during injection molding (as described in theexamples).

In embodiments, the plasticizer composition comprises polyethyleneglycol an average molecular weight of from 300 to 500 Daltons in anamount from 13 to 23, or 13 to 20, or 13 to less than 17, or greaterthan 15 to 23, or 17 to 23, or 17 to 20 wt %, based on the total weightof the cellulose ester composition; and the stabilizer compositioncomprises one or more secondary antioxidants in an amount from 0.01 to0.8, or 0.1 to 0.5, or 0.1 to 0.3, or 0.1 to 0.2 wt %, based on thetotal weight of the cellulose ester composition. In one class of thisembodiment, the one or more secondary antioxidants comprises a phosphitecompound (e.g., Weston 705T or Doverphos S-9228T), DLTDP or acombination thereof. In another class of this embodiment, the stabilizercomposition further comprises one or more primary antioxidants (e.g.,Irganox 1010 or BHT), citric acid or a combination thereof, wherein theone or more primary antioxidants are present in an amount from 0.1 to0.5, or 0.1 to 0.4 wt %, based on the total weight of the celluloseacetate composition, and wherein the citric acid is present in an amountfrom 0.05 to 0.2, or 0.05 to 0.15 wt %, based on the total weight of thecellulose acetate composition.

In embodiments, the plasticizer composition comprises polyethyleneglycol an average molecular weight of from 300 to 500 Daltons in anamount from 13 to less than 17, or 14 to less than 17, or 15 to lessthan 17 wt %, based on the total weight of the cellulose estercomposition; and the stabilizer composition comprises one or moresecondary antioxidants in an amount from 0.1 to 0.5, or 0.1 to 0.3, or0.1 to 0.2 wt %, based on the total weight of the cellulose estercomposition.

In embodiments, the plasticizer composition comprises polyethyleneglycol an average molecular weight of from 300 to 500 Daltons in anamount from greater than 15 to 23, or greater than 15 to 20 wt %, basedon the total weight of the cellulose ester composition; and thestabilizer composition a first stabilizer component that comprises oneor more secondary antioxidants in an amount from 0.1 to 0.5, or 0.1 to0.3, or 0.1 to 0.2 wt %, based on the total weight of the celluloseester composition; and a second stabilizer component that comprises oneor more primary antioxidants (e.g., Irganox 1010 or BHT), citric acid ora combination thereof, wherein the one or more primary antioxidants (ifpresent) are present in an amount from 0.1 to 0.5, or 0.1 to 0.4 wt %,based on the total weight of the cellulose acetate composition, andwherein the citric acid (if present) is present in an amount from 0.05to 0.2, or 0.05 to 0.15 wt %, based on the total weight of the celluloseacetate composition.

PEG/MPEG Specific Compositions

The present application also discloses a composition comprising: (1) acellulose acetate, wherein the cellulose acetate has an acetyl degree ofsubstitution (“DS_(Ac)”) in the range of from 2.2 to 2.6, and (2) from17-23 wt % of a polyethylene glycol or a methoxy polyethylene glycolcomposition having an average molecular weight of from 300 Daltons to550 Daltons, wherein the composition is melt processable, biodegradable,and disintegratable.

In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, thecomposition comprises polyethylene glycol having an average molecularweight of from 300 to 500 Daltons.

In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, thecomposition comprises polyethylene glycol having an average molecularweight of from 350 to 550 Daltons.

In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, thecellulose acetate has a number average molecular weight (“M_(n)”) in therange of from 10,000 to 90,000 Daltons, as measured by GPC. In oneembodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, the celluloseacetate has a number average molecular weight (“M_(n)”) in the range offrom 30,000 to 90,000 Daltons, as measured by GPC. In one embodiment orin combination with any other embodiment, the cellulose acetate has anumber average molecular weight (“M_(n)”) in the range of from 40,000 to90,000 Daltons, as measured by GPC.

In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, whereinwhen the composition is formed into a film having a thickness of 0.38mm, the film exhibits greater than 5% disintegration after 6 weeks andgreater than 90% disintegration after 12 weeks according to theDisintegration Test Protocol, as described in the specification or inthe alternative according to ISO 16929 (2013). In one embodiment or incombination with any other embodiment, wherein when the composition isformed into a film having a thickness of 0.38 mm, the film exhibitsgreater than 10% disintegration after 6 weeks and greater than 90%disintegration after 12 weeks according to Disintegration Test Protocol,as described in the specification or in the alternative according to ISO16929 (2013). In one embodiment or in combination with any otherembodiment, wherein when the composition is formed into a film having athickness of 0.38 mm, the film exhibits greater than 20% disintegrationafter 6 weeks and greater than 90% disintegration after 12 weeksaccording to Disintegration Test Protocol, as described in thespecification or in the alternative according to ISO 16929 (2013). Inone embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, wherein whenthe composition is formed into a film having a thickness of 0.38 mm, thefilm exhibits greater than 30% disintegration after 6 weeks and greaterthan 90% disintegration after 12 weeks according to Disintegration TestProtocol, as described in the specification or in the alternativeaccording to ISO 16929 (2013). In one embodiment or in combination withany other embodiment, wherein when the composition is formed into a filmhaving a thickness of 0.38 mm, the film exhibits greater than 50%disintegration after 6 weeks and greater than 90% disintegration after12 weeks according to Disintegration Test Protocol, as described in thespecification or in the alternative according to ISO 16929 (2013). Inone embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, wherein whenthe composition is formed into a film having a thickness of 0.38 mm, thefilm exhibits greater than 70% disintegration after 6 weeks and greaterthan 90% disintegration after 12 weeks according to Disintegration TestProtocol, as described in the specification or in the alternativeaccording to ISO 16929 (2013).

In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, when thecomposition is formed into a film having a thickness of 0.76 mm, thefilm exhibits greater than 30% disintegration after 12 weeks accordingto Disintegration Test Protocol, as described in the specification or inthe alternative according to ISO 16929 (2013). In one embodiment or incombination with any other embodiment, when the composition is formedinto a film having a thickness of 0.76 mm, the film exhibits greaterthan 50% disintegration after 12 weeks according to Disintegration TestProtocol, as described in the specification or in the alternativeaccording to ISO 16929 (2013). In one embodiment or in combination withany other embodiment, when the composition is formed into a film havinga thickness of 0.76 mm, the film exhibits greater than 70%disintegration after 12 weeks according to Disintegration Test Protocol,as described in the specification or in the alternative according to ISO16929 (2013). In one embodiment or in combination with any otherembodiment, when the composition is formed into a film having athickness of 0.76 mm, the film exhibits greater than 90% disintegrationafter 12 weeks according to Disintegration Test Protocol, as describedin the specification or in the alternative according to ISO 16929(2013). In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment,when the composition is formed into a film having a thickness of 0.76mm, the film exhibits greater than 95% disintegration after 12 weeksaccording to Disintegration Test protocol, as described in thespecification or in the alternative according to ISO 16929 (2013).

In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, thecomposition further comprises at least one additional component chosenfrom a filler, an additive, a biopolymer, a stabilizer, or an odormodifier.

In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, thecomposition further comprises a filler in an amount of from 1 to 60 wt%, based on the total weight of the composition. In one class of thisembodiment, the filler is a carbohydrate, a cellulosic filler, aninorganic filler, a food byproduct, a desiccant, an alkaline filler, orcombinations thereof.

In one subclass of this class, the filler is an inorganic filler. In onesub-subclass of this subclass, the inorganic filer is calcium carbonate.

In one subclass of this class, the filler is a carbohydrate. In onesubclass of this class, the filler is a cellulosic filler. In onesubclass of this class, the filler is a food byproduct. In one subclassof this class, the filler is a desiccant. In one subclass of this class,the filler is an alkaline filler.

In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, thecomposition further comprises an odor modifying additive in an amount offrom 0.001 to 1 wt %, based on the total weight of the composition. Inone class of this embodiment, the odor modifying additive is vanillin,Pennyroyal M-1178, almond, cinnamyl, spices, spice extracts, volatileorganic compounds or small molecules, or Plastidor. In one subclass ofthis class, the odor modifying additive is vanillin.

In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, thecomposition further comprises a stabilizer in an amount from 0.01 to 5wt %, based on the total composition. In one class of this embodiment,the stabilizer is a UV absorber, an antioxidant (e.g., ascorbic acid,BHT, BHA, etc), an acid scavenger, a radical scavenger, an epoxidizedoil (e.g., epoxidized soybean oil, epoxidized linseed oil, epoxidizedsunflower oil), or combinations.

The present application also discloses an article comprising acomposition comprising: (1) a cellulose acetate, wherein the celluloseacetate has an acetyl degree of substitution (“DS_(Ac)”) in the range offrom 2.2 to 2.6, and (2) from 17-23 wt % of a polyethylene glycol or amethoxy polyethylene glycol composition having an average molecularweight of from 300 Daltons to 550 Daltons, wherein the composition ismelt processable, biodegradable, and disintegratable.

In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, thecomposition comprises polyethylene glycol having an average molecularweight of from 300 to 500 Daltons. In one embodiment or in combinationwith any other embodiment, the composition comprises polyethylene glycolhaving an average molecular weight of from 350 to 550 Daltons.

In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, thearticle is formed from an orienting process, an extrusion process, aninjection molding process, a blow molding process, or a thermoformingprocess. In one class of this embodiment, the article is formed from theorienting process. In one subclass of this class, the orienting processis a uniaxial stretching process or a biaxial stretching process.

In one class of this embodiment, the article is formed from theextrusion process. In one class of this embodiment, the article isformed from the injection molding process. In one class of thisembodiment, the article is formed from the blow molding process. In oneclass of this embodiment, the article is formed from a thermoformingprocess. In one subclass of this class, the film or sheet used to formthe article is from 10 to 160 mil thick.

In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, when thearticle is clear, the article exhibits a haze of less than 10%. In oneembodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, when the articleis clear, the article exhibits a haze of less than 8%. In one embodimentor in combination with any other embodiment, when the article is clear,the article exhibits a haze of less than 6%. In one embodiment or incombination with any other embodiment, when the article is clear, thearticle exhibits a haze of less than 5%. In one embodiment or incombination with any other embodiment, when the article is clear, thearticle exhibits a haze of less than 4%. In one embodiment or incombination with any other embodiment, when the article is clear, thearticle exhibits a haze of less than 3%. In one embodiment, when thearticle is clear, the article exhibits a haze of less than 2%. In oneembodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, when the articleis clear, the article exhibits a haze of less than 1%.

In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, whereinwhen the composition is formed into a film having a thickness of 0.38mm, the film exhibits greater than 5% disintegration after 6 weeks andgreater than 90% disintegration after 12 weeks according toDisintegration Test Protocol, as described in the specification or inthe alternative according to ISO 16929 (2013). In one embodiment or incombination with any other embodiment, wherein when the composition isformed into a film having a thickness of 0.38 mm, the film exhibitsgreater than 10% disintegration after 6 weeks and greater than 90%disintegration after 12 weeks according to Disintegration Test Protocol,as described in the specification or in the alternative according to ISO16929 (2013). In one embodiment or in combination with any otherembodiment, wherein when the composition is formed into a film having athickness of 0.38 mm, the film exhibits greater than 20% disintegrationafter 6 weeks and greater than 90% disintegration after 12 weeksaccording to Disintegration Test Protocol, as described in thespecification or in the alternative according to ISO 16929 (2013). Inone embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, wherein whenthe composition is formed into a film having a thickness of 0.38 mm, thefilm exhibits greater than 30% disintegration after 6 weeks and greaterthan 90% disintegration after 12 weeks according to Disintegration TestProtocol, as described in the specification or in the alternativeaccording to ISO 16929 (2013). In one embodiment or in combination withany other embodiment, wherein when the composition is formed into a filmhaving a thickness of 0.38 mm, the film exhibits greater than 50%disintegration after 6 weeks and greater than 90% disintegration after12 weeks according to Disintegration Test Protocol, as described in thespecification or in the alternative according to ISO 16929 (2013). Inone embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, wherein whenthe composition is formed into a film having a thickness of 0.38 mm, thefilm exhibits greater than 70% disintegration after 6 weeks and greaterthan 90% disintegration after 12 weeks according to Disintegration TestProtocol, as described in the specification or in the alternativeaccording to ISO 16929 (2013).

In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, when thecomposition is formed into a film having a thickness of 0.76 mm, thefilm exhibits greater than 30% disintegration after 12 weeks accordingto Disintegration Test Protocol, as described in the specification or inthe alternative according to ISO 16929 (2013). In one embodiment or incombination with any other embodiment, when the composition is formedinto a film having a thickness of 0.76 mm, the film exhibits greaterthan 50% disintegration after 12 weeks according to Disintegration TestProtocol, as described in the specification or in the alternativeaccording to ISO 16929 (2013). In one embodiment or in combination withany other embodiment, when the composition is formed into a film havinga thickness of 0.76 mm, the film exhibits greater than 70%disintegration after 12 weeks according to Disintegration Test Protocol,as described in the specification or in the alternative according to ISO16929 (2013). In one embodiment or in combination with any otherembodiment, when the composition is formed into a film having athickness of 0.76 mm, the film exhibits greater than 90% disintegrationafter 12 weeks according to Disintegration Test Protocol, as describedin the specification or in the alternative according to ISO 16929(2013). In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment,when the composition is formed into a film having a thickness of 0.76mm, the film exhibits greater than 95% disintegration after 12 weeksaccording to Disintegration Test Protocol, as described in thespecification or in the alternative according to ISO 16929 (2013).

In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, thearticle exhibits greater than 30% disintegration after 12 weeksaccording to Disintegration Test Protocol, as described in thespecification or in the alternative according to ISO 16929 (2013). Inone embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, the articleexhibits greater than 50% disintegration after 12 weeks according toDisintegration Test Protocol, as described in the specification or inthe alternative according to ISO 16929 (2013). In one embodiment or incombination with any other embodiment, the article exhibits greater than70% disintegration after 12 weeks according to Disintegration TestProtocol, as described in the specification or in the alternativeaccording to ISO 16929 (2013). In one embodiment or in combination withany other embodiment, the article exhibits greater than 80%disintegration after 12 weeks according to Disintegration Test Protocol,as described in the specification or in the alternative according to ISO16929 (2013). In one embodiment or in combination with any otherembodiment, the article exhibits greater than 90% disintegration after12 weeks according to Disintegration Test Protocol, as described in thespecification or in the alternative according to ISO 16929 (2013). Inone embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, the articleexhibits greater than 95% disintegration after 12 weeks according toDisintegration Test Protocol, as described in the specification or inthe alternative according to ISO 16929 (2013).

In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, thearticle has a thickness of 0.8 mm or less. In one embodiment, thearticle has a thickness of 0.76 mm or less.

In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, thecomposition further comprises at least one additional component chosenfrom a filler, an additive, a biopolymer, a stabilizer, or an odormodifier.

In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, thecomposition further comprises a filler in an amount of from 1 to 60 wt%, based on the total weight of the composition. In one class of thisembodiment, the filler is a carbohydrate, a cellulosic filler, aninorganic filler, a food byproduct, a desiccant, an alkaline filler, orcombinations thereof.

In one subclass of this class, the filler is an inorganic filler. In onesub-subclass of this subclass, the inorganic filer is calcium carbonate.

In one subclass of this class, the filler is a carbohydrate. In onesubclass of this class, the filler is a cellulosic filler. In onesubclass of this class, the filler is a food byproduct. In one subclassof this class, the filler is a desiccant. In one subclass of this class,the filler is an alkaline filler.

In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, thecomposition further comprises an odor modifying additive in an amount offrom 0.001 to 1 wt %, based on the total weight of the composition. Inone class of this embodiment, the odor modifying additive is vanillin,Pennyroyal M-1178, almond, cinnamyl, spices, spice extracts, volatileorganic compounds or small molecules, or Plastidor. In one subclass ofthis class, the odor modifying additive is vanillin.

In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, thecomposition further comprises a stabilizer in an amount from 0.01 to 5wt %, based on the total composition. In one class of this embodiment,the stabilizer is a UV absorber, an antioxidant (e.g., ascorbic acid,BHT, BHA, etc), an acid scavenger, a radical scavenger, an epoxidizedoil (e.g., epoxidized soybean oil, epoxidized linseed oil, epoxidizedsunflower oil), or combinations.

The present application also discloses an article comprising acomposition comprising: (1) a cellulose acetate, wherein the celluloseacetate has an acetyl degree of substitution (“DS_(Ac)”) in the range offrom 2.2 to 2.6, (2) from 13-23 wt % of a polyethylene glycol or amethoxy polyethylene glycol composition having an average molecularweight of from 300 Daltons to 550 Daltons, and (3) 0.01-1.8 wt % of anadditive chosen from an epoxidized soybean oil, a secondary antioxidant,or a combination, wherein the composition is melt processable,biodegradable, and disintegratable.

In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, theadditive is present at from 0.01 to 1 wt %, or 0.05 to 0.8 wt %, or 0.05to 0.5 wt %, or 0.1 to 1 wt %.

In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, theadditive is an epoxidized soybean oil which is present at 0.1 to 1 wt %,or 0.1 to 0.5 wt %, or 0.5 to 1 wt %, or 0.3 to 0.8 wt %.

In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, theadditive is a secondary antioxidant which is present at 0.01 to 0.8 wt%, or 0.01 to 0.4 wt %, or 0.4 to 0.8 wt %, or 0.2 to 0.6 wt %.

In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, thecomposition comprises polyethylene glycol having an average molecularweight of from 300 to 500 Daltons. In one embodiment or in combinationwith any other embodiment, the composition comprises polyethylene glycolhaving an average molecular weight of from 350 to 550 Daltons.

In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, thearticle is formed from an orienting process, an extrusion process, aninjection molding process, a blow molding process, or a thermoformingprocess. In one class of this embodiment, the article is formed from theorienting process. In one subclass of this class, the orienting processis a uniaxial stretching process or a biaxial stretching process.

In one class of this embodiment, the article is formed from theextrusion process. In one class of this embodiment, the article isformed from the injection molding process. In one class of thisembodiment, the article is formed from the blow molding process. In oneclass of this embodiment, the article is formed from a thermoformingprocess. In one subclass of this class, the film or sheet used to formthe article is from 10 to 160 mil thick.

In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, when thearticle is clear, the article exhibits a haze of less than 10%. In oneembodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, when the articleis clear, the article exhibits a haze of less than 8%. In one embodimentor in combination with any other embodiment, when the article is clear,the article exhibits a haze of less than 6%. In one embodiment or incombination with any other embodiment, when the article is clear, thearticle exhibits a haze of less than 5%. In one embodiment or incombination with any other embodiment, when the article is clear, thearticle exhibits a haze of less than 4%. In one embodiment or incombination with any other embodiment, when the article is clear, thearticle exhibits a haze of less than 3%. In one embodiment, when thearticle is clear, the article exhibits a haze of less than 2%. In oneembodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, when the articleis clear, the article exhibits a haze of less than 1%.

In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, whereinwhen the composition is formed into a film having a thickness of 0.38mm, the film exhibits greater than 5% disintegration after 6 weeks andgreater than 90% disintegration after 12 weeks according toDisintegration Test Protocol, as described in the specification or inthe alternative according to ISO 16929 (2013). In one embodiment or incombination with any other embodiment, wherein when the composition isformed into a film having a thickness of 0.38 mm, the film exhibitsgreater than 10% disintegration after 6 weeks and greater than 90%disintegration after 12 weeks according to Disintegration Test Protocol,as described in the specification or in the alternative according to ISO16929 (2013). In one embodiment or in combination with any otherembodiment, wherein when the composition is formed into a film having athickness of 0.38 mm, the film exhibits greater than 20% disintegrationafter 6 weeks and greater than 90% disintegration after 12 weeksaccording to Disintegration Test Protocol, as described in thespecification or in the alternative according to ISO 16929 (2013). Inone embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, wherein whenthe composition is formed into a film having a thickness of 0.38 mm, thefilm exhibits greater than 30% disintegration after 6 weeks and greaterthan 90% disintegration after 12 weeks according to Disintegration TestProtocol, as described in the specification or in the alternativeaccording to ISO 16929 (2013). In one embodiment or in combination withany other embodiment, wherein when the composition is formed into a filmhaving a thickness of 0.38 mm, the film exhibits greater than 50%disintegration after 6 weeks and greater than 90% disintegration after12 weeks according to Disintegration Test Protocol, as described in thespecification or in the alternative according to ISO 16929 (2013). Inone embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, wherein whenthe composition is formed into a film having a thickness of 0.38 mm, thefilm exhibits greater than 70% disintegration after 6 weeks and greaterthan 90% disintegration after 12 weeks according to Disintegration TestProtocol, as described in the specification or in the alternativeaccording to ISO 16929 (2013).

In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, when thecomposition is formed into a film having a thickness of 0.76 mm, thefilm exhibits greater than 30% disintegration after 12 weeks accordingto Disintegration Test Protocol, as described in the specification or inthe alternative according to ISO 16929 (2013). In one embodiment or incombination with any other embodiment, when the composition is formedinto a film having a thickness of 0.76 mm, the film exhibits greaterthan 50% disintegration after 12 weeks according to Disintegration TestProtocol, as described in the specification or in the alternativeaccording to ISO 16929 (2013). In one embodiment or in combination withany other embodiment, when the composition is formed into a film havinga thickness of 0.76 mm, the film exhibits greater than 70%disintegration after 12 weeks according to Disintegration Test Protocol,as described in the specification or in the alternative according to ISO16929 (2013). In one embodiment or in combination with any otherembodiment, when the composition is formed into a film having athickness of 0.76 mm, the film exhibits greater than 90% disintegrationafter 12 weeks according to Disintegration Test Protocol, as describedin the specification or in the alternative according to ISO 16929(2013). In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment,when the composition is formed into a film having a thickness of 0.76mm, the film exhibits greater than 95% disintegration after 12 weeksaccording to Disintegration Test Protocol, as described in thespecification or in the alternative according to ISO 16929 (2013).

In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, thearticle exhibits greater than 30% disintegration after 12 weeksaccording to Disintegration Test Protocol, as described in thespecification or in the alternative according to ISO 16929 (2013). Inone embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, the articleexhibits greater than 50% disintegration after 12 weeks according toDisintegration Test Protocol, as described in the specification or inthe alternative according to ISO 16929 (2013). In one embodiment or incombination with any other embodiment, the article exhibits greater than70% disintegration after 12 weeks according to Disintegration TestProtocol, as described in the specification or in the alternativeaccording to ISO 16929 (2013). In one embodiment or in combination withany other embodiment, the article exhibits greater than 80%disintegration after 12 weeks according to Disintegration Test Protocol,as described in the specification or in the alternative according to ISO16929 (2013). In one embodiment or in combination with any otherembodiment, the article exhibits greater than 90% disintegration after12 weeks according to Disintegration Test Protocol, as described in thespecification or in the alternative according to ISO 16929 (2013). Inone embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, the articleexhibits greater than 95% disintegration after 12 weeks according toDisintegration Test Protocol, as described in the specification or inthe alternative according to ISO 16929 (2013).

In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, thearticle has a thickness of 0.8 mm or less. In one embodiment, thearticle has a thickness of 0.76 mm or less.

In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, thecomposition further comprises at least one additional component chosenfrom a filler, an additive, a biopolymer, a stabilizer, or an odormodifier.

In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, thecomposition further comprises a filler in an amount of from 1 to 60 wt%, based on the total weight of the composition. In one class of thisembodiment, the filler is a carbohydrate, a cellulosic filler, aninorganic filler, a food byproduct, a desiccant, an alkaline filler, orcombinations thereof.

In one subclass of this class, the filler is an inorganic filler. In onesub-subclass of this subclass, the inorganic filer is calcium carbonate.

In one subclass of this class, the filler is a carbohydrate. In onesubclass of this class, the filler is a cellulosic filler. In onesubclass of this class, the filler is a food byproduct. In one subclassof this class, the filler is a desiccant. In one subclass of this class,the filler is an alkaline filler.

In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, thecomposition further comprises an odor modifying additive in an amount offrom 0.001 to 1 wt %, based on the total weight of the composition. Inone class of this embodiment, the odor modifying additive is vanillin,Pennyroyal M-1178, almond, cinnamyl, spices, spice extracts, volatileorganic compounds or small molecules, or Plastidor. In one subclass ofthis class, the odor modifying additive is vanillin.

The present application discloses a foamable composition, comprising:(1) a cellulose acetate having a degree of substitution of acetyl(DS_(Ac)) between 2.2 to 2.6; (2) 5 to 40 wt % of a plasticizer; (3) 0.1to 3 wt % of a nucleating agent; and (4) 0.1 to 3 wt % a chemicalblowing composition, comprises: (i) 25 to 75 wt % of a blowing agent,and (ii) 25 to 75 wt % of a carrier polymer having a melting point thatis no more than 150° C., wherein the proportions of the blowing agentand the carrier polymer are based on the total weight of the chemicalblowing composition; wherein the proportions of the cellulose acetate,plasticizer, nucleating agent and chemical blowing composition are basedon the total weight of the foamable composition.

In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, thefoamable composition exhibits a heat deflection temperature of greaterthan 100° C. as measured at 0.45 MPa at 2% elongation with a 1 Hzfrequency using a DMA. In one embodiment or in combination with anyother embodiment, the foamable composition exhibits a heat deflectiontemperature of greater than 102° C. as measured at 0.45 MPa at 2%elongation with a 1 Hz frequency using a DMA. In one embodiment or incombination with any other embodiment, the foamable composition exhibitsa heat deflection temperature of greater than 104° C. as measured at0.45 MPa at 2% elongation with a 1 Hz frequency using a DMA. In oneembodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, the foamablecomposition exhibits a heat deflection temperature of greater than 106°C. as measured at 0.45 MPa at 2% elongation with a 1 Hz frequency usinga DMA. In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment,the foamable composition exhibits a heat deflection temperature ofgreater than 110° C. as measured at 0.45 MPa at 2% elongation with a 1Hz frequency using a DMA. In one embodiment or in combination with anyother embodiment, the foamable composition exhibits a heat deflectiontemperature of greater than 115° C. as measured at 0.45 MPa at 2%elongation with a 1 Hz frequency using a DMA.

In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, theblowing agent comprises sodium bicarbonate, citric acid or combinationthereof. In one class of this embodiment, the blowing agent comprisessodium bicarbonate. In one class of this embodiment, the blowing agentcomprises citric acid.

In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, thecarrier polymer comprises polybutylene succinate, polycaprolactone, orcombinations thereof. In one class of this embodiment, the carrierpolymer comprises polybutylene succinate. In one class of thisembodiment, the carrier polymer comprises polycaprolactone.

In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, theplasticizer comprises triacetin, triethyl citrate, or PEG400.

In one class of this embodiment, the plasticizer is present in a rangeof from 13 to 23, or 17 to 23 wt %. In one class of this embodiment, theplasticizer is present in a range of from 13 to 30, or 15 to 30 wt %.

In one class of this embodiment, the plasticizer comprises triacetin.

In one subclass of this class, the plasticizer is present in a range offrom 13 to 23, or 15 to 23, or 17 to 23 wt %. In one subclass of thisclass, the plasticizer is present in a range of from 13 to 30, or 15 to30 wt %.

In one class of this embodiment, the plasticizer comprises triethylcitrate. In one subclass of this class, the plasticizer is present in arange of from 13 to 23, or 15 to 23, or 17 to 23 wt %. In one subclassof this class, the plasticizer is present in a range of from 13 to 30,or 15 to 30 wt %.

In one class of this embodiment, the plasticizer comprises PEG400. Inone subclass of this class, the plasticizer is present in a range offrom 13 to less than 17, or 17 to 23 wt %. In one subclass of thisclass, the plasticizer is present in a range of from 13 to 30, or 15 to30 wt %.

In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, thenucleating agent comprises a magnesium silicate, a silicon dioxide, amagnesium oxide, or combinations thereof. In one class of thisembodiment, the nucleating agent comprises a particulate compositionwith a median particle size less than 2 microns. In one class of thisembodiment, the nucleating agent comprises a particulate compositionwith a median particle size less than 1.5 microns. In one class of thisembodiment, the nucleating agent comprises a particulate compositionwith a median particle size less than 1.1 microns.

In one class of this embodiment, the nucleating agent comprises amagnesium silicate. In one subclass of this class, the nucleating agentcomprises a particulate composition with a median particle size lessthan 2 microns. In one subclass of this class, the nucleating agentcomprises a particulate composition with a median particle size lessthan 1.5 microns. In one subclass of this class, the nucleating agentcomprises a particulate composition with a median particle size lessthan 1.1 microns.

In one class of this embodiment, the nucleating agent comprises asilicon dioxide. In one subclass of this class, the nucleating agentcomprises a particulate composition with a median particle size lessthan 2 microns. In one subclass of this class, the nucleating agentcomprises a particulate composition with a median particle size lessthan 1.5 microns. In one subclass of this class, the nucleating agentcomprises a particulate composition with a median particle size lessthan 1.1 microns.

In one class of this embodiment, the nucleating agent comprises amagnesium oxide. In one subclass of this class, the nucleating agentcomprises a particulate composition with a median particle size lessthan 2 microns. In one subclass of this class, the nucleating agentcomprises a particulate composition with a median particle size lessthan 1.5 microns. In one subclass of this class, the nucleating agentcomprises a particulate composition with a median particle size lessthan 1.1 microns.

In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, thenucleating agent comprises a particulate composition with a medianparticle size less than 2 microns. In one embodiment, the nucleatingagent comprises a particulate composition with a median particle sizeless than 1.5 microns. the nucleating agent comprises a particulatecomposition with a median particle size less than 1.1 microns.

In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, thefoamable composition further comprises a fiber. In one class of thisembodiment, the fiber comprises hemp, bast, jute, flax, ramie, kenaf,sisal, bamboo, or wood cellulose fibers. In one subclass of this class,the fiber comprises hemp.

In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, thefoamable composition further comprises a photodegradation catalyst. Inone class of this embodiment, the photodegradation catalyst is atitanium dioxide, or an iron oxide. In one subclass of this class, thephotodegradation catalyst is a titanium dioxide. In one subclass of thisclass, the photodegradation catalyst is an iron oxide.

In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, thefoamable composition further comprises a pigment. In one class of thisembodiment, the pigment is a titanium dioxide, a carbon black, or aniron oxide. In one subclass of this class, the pigment is a titaniumdioxide. In one subclass of this class, the pigment is a carbon black.In one subclass of this class, the pigment is an iron oxide.

In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, thefoamable composition is biodegradable.

In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, thefoamable composition comprises two or more cellulose acetates havingdifferent degrees of substitution of acetyl.

In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, thefoamable composition further comprises a biodegradable polymer that isdifferent than the cellulose acetate.

In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, there isan article prepared from the any one of the previously describedfoamable compositions, wherein the article is a foam.

In one class of this embodiment, the article has a thickness of up to 3mm.

In one class of this embodiment, the article has one or more skinlayers. The skin layer may be found on the outer surface of the articleor foam. The skin layer can also be found in the middle of the foam.

In one class of this embodiment, the article is biodegradable.

In one class of this embodiment, the article has a density less than 0.9g/cm³. In one class of this embodiment, the article has a density ofless than 0.8 g/cm³. In one class of this embodiment, the article has adensity of less than 0.7 g/cm³. In one class of this embodiment, thearticle has a density of less than 0.6 g/cm³. In one class of thisembodiment, the article has a density of less than 0.5 g/cm³. In oneclass of this embodiment, the article has a density of less than 0.4g/cm³. In one class of this embodiment, the article has a density ofless than 0.3 g/cm³. In one class of this embodiment, the article has adensity of less than 0.2 g/cm³. In one class of this embodiment, thearticle has a density of less than 0.1 g/cm³. In one class of thisembodiment, the article has a density of less than 0.05 g/cm³. In oneclass of this embodiment, the article has a density in the range of from0.2 to 0.9 g/cm³.

In one class of this embodiment, the article is industrial compostableor home compostable. In one subclass of this class, the article isindustrial compostable. In one sub-subclass of this subclass, thearticle has a thickness that is less than 1.1 mm. In one subclass ofthis class, the article is home compostable. In one sub-subclass of thissubclass, the article has a thickness that is less than 1.1 mm. In onesub-subclass of this subclass, the article has a thickness that is lessthan 0.8 mm. In one sub-subclass of this subclass, the article has athickness that is less than 0.6 mm. In one sub-subclass of thissubclass, the article has a thickness that is less than 0.4 mm.

In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, whereinwhen the composition is formed into a foam having a thickness of 0.38mm, the foam exhibits greater than 5% disintegration after 6 weeks andgreater than 90% disintegration after 12 weeks according to theDisintegration Test Protocol, as described in the specification or inthe alternative according to ISO 16929 (2013). In one embodiment or incombination with any other embodiment, wherein when the composition isformed into a foam having a thickness of 0.38 mm, the foam exhibitsgreater than 10% disintegration after 6 weeks and greater than 90%disintegration after 12 weeks according to Disintegration Test Protocol,as described in the specification or in the alternative according to ISO16929 (2013). In one embodiment or in combination with any otherembodiment, wherein when the composition is formed into a foam having athickness of 0.38 mm, the foam exhibits greater than 20% disintegrationafter 6 weeks and greater than 90% disintegration after 12 weeksaccording to Disintegration Test Protocol, as described in thespecification or in the alternative according to ISO 16929 (2013). Inone embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, wherein whenthe composition is formed into a foam having a thickness of 0.38 mm, thefoam exhibits greater than 30% disintegration after 6 weeks and greaterthan 90% disintegration after 12 weeks according to Disintegration TestProtocol, as described in the specification or in the alternativeaccording to ISO 16929 (2013). In one embodiment or in combination withany other embodiment, wherein when the composition is formed into a foamhaving a thickness of 0.38 mm, the foam exhibits greater than 50%disintegration after 6 weeks and greater than 90% disintegration after12 weeks according to Disintegration Test Protocol, as described in thespecification or in the alternative according to ISO 16929 (2013). Inone embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, wherein whenthe composition is formed into a foam having a thickness of 0.38 mm, thefoam exhibits greater than 70% disintegration after 6 weeks and greaterthan 90% disintegration after 12 weeks according to Disintegration TestProtocol, as described in the specification or in the alternativeaccording to ISO 16929 (2013).

In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, when thecomposition is formed into a foam having a thickness of 0.76 mm, thefoam exhibits greater than 30% disintegration after 12 weeks accordingto Disintegration Test Protocol, as described in the specification or inthe alternative according to ISO 16929 (2013). In one embodiment or incombination with any other embodiment, when the composition is formedinto a foam having a thickness of 0.76 mm, the foam exhibits greaterthan 50% disintegration after 12 weeks according to Disintegration TestProtocol, as described in the specification or in the alternativeaccording to ISO 16929 (2013). In one embodiment or in combination withany other embodiment, when the composition is formed into a foam havinga thickness of 0.76 mm, the foam exhibits greater than 70%disintegration after 12 weeks according to Disintegration Test Protocol,as described in the specification or in the alternative according to ISO16929 (2013). In one embodiment or in combination with any otherembodiment, when the composition is formed into a foam having athickness of 0.76 mm, the foam exhibits greater than 90% disintegrationafter 12 weeks according to Disintegration Test Protocol, as describedin the specification or in the alternative according to ISO 16929(2013). In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment,when the composition is formed into a foam having a thickness of 0.76mm, the foam exhibits greater than 95% disintegration after 12 weeksaccording to Disintegration Test protocol, as described in thespecification or in the alternative according to ISO 16929 (2013).

The present application discloses a foamable composition comprising: (1)a cellulose acetate having a degree of substitution of acetyl (DS_(Ac))between 2.2 to 2.6; (2) 5 to 40 wt % of a plasticizer; (3) 0.1 to 3 wt %of a nucleating agent; and (4) 0.1 to 15 wt % of a physical blowingagent, wherein the proportions of the cellulose acetate, plasticizer,nucleating agent and physical blowing agent are based on the totalweight of the foamable composition.

In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, thefoamable composition exhibits a heat deflection temperature of greaterthan 100° C. as measured at 0.45 MPa at 2% elongation with a 1 Hzfrequency using a DMA. In one embodiment or in combination with anyother embodiment, the foamable composition exhibits a heat deflectiontemperature of greater than 102° C. as measured at 0.45 MPa at 2%elongation with a 1 Hz frequency using a DMA. In one embodiment or incombination with any other embodiment, the foamable composition exhibitsa heat deflection temperature of greater than 104° C. as measured at0.45 MPa at 2% elongation with a 1 Hz frequency using a DMA. In oneembodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, the foamablecomposition exhibits a heat deflection temperature of greater than 106°C. as measured at 0.45 MPa at 2% elongation with a 1 Hz frequency usinga DMA. In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment,the foamable composition exhibits a heat deflection temperature ofgreater than 110° C. as measured at 0.45 MPa at 2% elongation with a 1Hz frequency using a DMA. In one embodiment or in combination with anyother embodiment, the foamable composition exhibits a heat deflectiontemperature of greater than 115° C. as measured at 0.45 MPa at 2%elongation with a 1 Hz frequency using a DMA.

In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, thephysical blowing agent comprises CO₂, N₂, unbranched or branched(C₂₋₆)alkane, or any combination thereof. In one class of thisembodiment, the physical blowing agent comprises CO₂. In one class ofthis embodiment, the physical blowing agent comprises N₂. In one classof this embodiment, the physical blowing agent comprises unbranched orbranched (C₂₋₆)alkane.

In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, thephysical blowing agent is present from 0.1 to 0.5 wt %. In oneembodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, the physicalblowing agent is present from 0.5 to 4 wt %. In one embodiment or incombination with any other embodiment, the physical blowing agent ispresent from 0.3 to 4 wt %. In one embodiment or in combination with anyother embodiment, the physical blowing agent is present from 4 to 10 wt%.

In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, theplasticizer comprises triacetin, triethyl citrate, or PEG400.

In one class of this embodiment, the plasticizer is present in a rangeof from 17 to 23 wt %. In one class of this embodiment, the plasticizeris present in a range of from 15 to 30 wt %.

In one class of this embodiment, the plasticizer comprises triacetin.

In one subclass of this class, the plasticizer is present in a range offrom 17 to 23 wt %. In one subclass of this class, the plasticizer ispresent in a range of from 15 to 30 wt %.

In one class of this embodiment, the plasticizer comprises triethylcitrate. In one subclass of this class, the plasticizer is present in arange of from 17 to 23 wt %. In one subclass of this class, theplasticizer is present in a range of from 15 to 30 wt %.

In one class of this embodiment, the plasticizer comprises PEG400. Inone subclass of this class, the plasticizer is present in a range offrom 17 to 23 wt %. In one subclass of this class, the plasticizer ispresent in a range of from 15 to 30 wt %.

In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, thenucleating agent comprises a magnesium silicate, a silicon dioxide, amagnesium oxide, or combinations thereof. In one class of thisembodiment, the nucleating agent comprises a particulate compositionwith a median particle size less than 2 microns. In one class of thisembodiment, the nucleating agent comprises a particulate compositionwith a median particle size less than 1.5 microns. In one class of thisembodiment, the nucleating agent comprises a particulate compositionwith a median particle size less than 1.1 microns.

In one class of this embodiment, the nucleating agent comprises amagnesium silicate. In one subclass of this class, the nucleating agentcomprises a particulate composition with a median particle size lessthan 2 microns. In one subclass of this class, the nucleating agentcomprises a particulate composition with a median particle size lessthan 1.5 microns. In one subclass of this class, the nucleating agentcomprises a particulate composition with a median particle size lessthan 1.1 microns.

In one class of this embodiment, the nucleating agent comprises asilicon dioxide. In one subclass of this class, the nucleating agentcomprises a particulate composition with a median particle size lessthan 2 microns. In one subclass of this class, the nucleating agentcomprises a particulate composition with a median particle size lessthan 1.5 microns. In one subclass of this class, the nucleating agentcomprises a particulate composition with a median particle size lessthan 1.1 microns.

In one class of this embodiment, the nucleating agent comprises amagnesium oxide. In one subclass of this class, the nucleating agentcomprises a particulate composition with a median particle size lessthan 2 microns. In one subclass of this class, the nucleating agentcomprises a particulate composition with a median particle size lessthan 1.5 microns. In one subclass of this class, the nucleating agentcomprises a particulate composition with a median particle size lessthan 1.1 microns.

In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, thenucleating agent comprises a particulate composition with a medianparticle size less than 2 microns. In one embodiment, the nucleatingagent comprises a particulate composition with a median particle sizeless than 1.5 microns. the nucleating agent comprises a particulatecomposition with a median particle size less than 1.1 microns.

In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, thefoamable composition further comprises a fiber. In one class of thisembodiment, the fiber comprises hemp, bast, jute, flax, ramie, kenaf,sisal, bamboo, or wood cellulose fibers. In one subclass of this class,the fiber comprises hemp.

In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, thefoamable composition further comprises a photodegradation catalyst. Inone class of this embodiment, the photodegradation catalyst is atitanium dioxide, or an iron oxide. In one subclass of this class, thephotodegradation catalyst is a titanium dioxide. In one subclass of thisclass, the photodegradation catalyst is an iron oxide.

In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, thefoamable composition further comprises a pigment. In one class of thisembodiment, the pigment is a titanium dioxide, a carbon black, or aniron oxide. In one subclass of this class, the pigment is a titaniumdioxide. In one subclass of this class, the pigment is a carbon black.In one subclass of this class, the pigment is an iron oxide.

In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, thefoamable composition is biodegradable.

In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, thefoamable composition comprises two or more cellulose acetates havingdifferent degrees of substitution of acetyl.

In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, thefoamable composition further comprises a biodegradable polymer that isdifferent than the cellulose acetate.

In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, there isan article prepared from the any one of the previously describedfoamable compositions, wherein the article is a foam.

In one class of this embodiment, the article has a thickness of up to 3mm.

In one class of this embodiment, the article has one or more skinlayers.

In one class of this embodiment, the article is biodegradable.

In one class of this embodiment, the article has a density less than 0.9g/cm³. In one class of this embodiment, the article has a density ofless than 0.8 g/cm³. In one class of this embodiment, the article has adensity of less than 0.7 g/cm³. In one class of this embodiment, thearticle has a density of less than 0.6 g/cm³. In one class of thisembodiment, the article has a density of less than 0.5 g/cm³. In oneclass of this embodiment, the article has a density of less than 0.4g/cm³. In one class of this embodiment, the article has a density ofless than 0.3 g/cm³. In one class of this embodiment, the article has adensity of less than 0.2 g/cm³. In one class of this embodiment, thearticle has a density of less than 0.1 g/cm³. In one class of thisembodiment, the article has a density of less than 0.05 g/cm³. In oneclass of this embodiment, the article has a density in the range of from0.2 to 0.9 g/cm³.

In one class of this embodiment, the article is industrial compostableor home compostable. In one subclass of this class, the article isindustrial compostable. In one sub-subclass of this subclass, thearticle has a thickness that is less than 6 mm. In one sub-subclass ofthis subclass, the article has a thickness that is less than 3 mm. Inone sub-subclass of this subclass, the article has a thickness that isless than 1.1 mm. In one subclass of this class, the article is homecompostable. In one sub-subclass of this subclass, the article has athickness that is less than 6 mm. In one sub-subclass of this subclass,the article has a thickness that is less than 3 mm. In one sub-subclassof this subclass, the article has a thickness that is less than 1.1 mm.In one sub-subclass of this subclass, the article has a thickness thatis less than 0.8 mm. In one sub-subclass of this subclass, the articlehas a thickness that is less than 0.6 mm. In one sub-subclass of thissubclass, the article has a thickness that is less than 0.4 mm.

In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, thearticle has a thickness that is less than 6 mm. In one embodiment or incombination with any other embodiment, the article has a thickness thatis less than 3 mm. In one embodiment or in combination with any otherembodiment, the article has a thickness that is less than 1.1 mm. In oneembodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, the article hasa thickness that is less than 0.8 mm. In one embodiment or incombination with any other embodiment, the article has a thickness thatis less than 0.6 mm. In one embodiment or in combination with any otherembodiment, the article has a thickness that is less than 0.4 mm.

The present application discloses a method for preparing a foamablecomposition comprising: (a) providing a nonfoamable compositioncomprising (1) a cellulose acetate having a degree of substitution ofacetyl (DS_(Ac)) between 2.2 to 2.6, (2) 5 to 40 wt % of a plasticizer,and (3) 0.1 to 3 wt % of a nucleating agent; (b) melting the nonfoamablecomposition in an extruder to form a melt of the nonfoamble composition;and (b) injecting a physical blowing agent into the melt of thenonfoamable composition to prepare a melted foamable composition.

In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, thephysical blowing agent comprises CO₂, N₂ or an unbranched or branched(C₂₋₆)alkane.

In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, thearticle exhibits greater than 30% disintegration after 12 weeksaccording to Disintegration Test Protocol, as described in thespecification or in the alternative according to ISO 16929 (2013). Inone embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, the articleexhibits greater than 50% disintegration after 12 weeks according toDisintegration Test Protocol, as described in the specification or inthe alternative according to ISO 16929 (2013). In one embodiment or incombination with any other embodiment, the article exhibits greater than70% disintegration after 12 weeks according to Disintegration TestProtocol, as described in the specification or in the alternativeaccording to ISO 16929 (2013). In one embodiment or in combination withany other embodiment, the article exhibits greater than 80%disintegration after 12 weeks according to Disintegration Test Protocol,as described in the specification or in the alternative according to ISO16929 (2013). In one embodiment or in combination with any otherembodiment, the article exhibits greater than 90% disintegration after12 weeks according to Disintegration Test Protocol, as described in thespecification or in the alternative according to ISO 16929 (2013). Inone embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, the articleexhibits greater than 95% disintegration after 12 weeks according toDisintegration Test Protocol, as described in the specification or inthe alternative according to ISO 16929 (2013).

Specific Embodiments

Embodiment 1. A foamable composition, comprising: (1) a celluloseacetate having a degree of substitution of acetyl (DS_(Ac)) between 2.2to 2.6; (2) 5 to 40 wt % of a plasticizer; (3) 0.1 to 3 wt % of anucleating agent; and (4) 0.1 to 3 wt % a chemical blowing composition,comprises: (i) 25 to 75 wt % of a blowing agent, and (ii) 25 to 75 wt %of a carrier polymer having a melting point that is no more than 150°C., wherein the proportions of the blowing agent and the carrier polymerare based on the total weight of the chemical blowing composition,wherein the proportions of the cellulose acetate, plasticizer,nucleating agent and chemical blowing composition are based on the totalweight of the foamable composition.

Embodiment 2. The foamable composition of any one of Embodiment 1,wherein the blowing agent comprises sodium bicarbonate, citric acid orcombination thereof.

Embodiment 3. The foamable composition of any one of Embodiments 1-2,wherein the carrier polymer comprises a polybutylene succinate, apolycaprolactone, or combinations thereof.

Embodiment 4. A foamable composition comprising: (1) a cellulose acetatehaving a degree of substitution of acetyl (DS_(Ac)) between 2.2 to 2.6;(2) 5 to 40 wt % of a plasticizer; (3) 0.1 to 3 wt % of a nucleatingagent; and (4) 0.1 to 15 wt % of a physical blowing agent, wherein theproportions of the cellulose acetate, plasticizer, nucleating agent andphysical blowing agent are based on the total weight of the foamablecomposition.

Embodiment 5. A foamable composition comprising: (1) a cellulose acetatehaving a degree of substitution of acetyl (DS_(Ac)) between 2.2 to 2.6;(2) 5 to 40 wt % of a plasticizer; (3) 0.1 to 3 wt % of a nucleatingagent; and (4) 1 to 15 wt % of a physical blowing agent, wherein theproportions of the cellulose acetate, plasticizer, nucleating agent andphysical blowing agent are based on the total weight of the foamablecomposition.

Embodiment 6. The foamable composition of any one of Embodiments 4 or 5,wherein the physical blowing agent comprises CO₂, N₂, unbranched orbranched (C₂₋₆)alkane, or any combination thereof.

Embodiment 7. The foamable composition of any one of Embodiments 1-6,wherein the plasticizer comprises triacetin, triethyl citrate, orPEG400.

Embodiment 8. The foamable composition of any one of Embodiments 1-7,wherein the plasticizer is present from 17 to 23 wt %.

Embodiment 9. The foamable composition of any one of Embodiments 1-8,wherein the nucleating agent comprises a particulate composition with amedian particle size less than 2 microns.

Embodiment 10. The foamable composition of any one of Embodiments 1-9,wherein the nucleating agent comprises a magnesium silicate, a silicondioxide, a magnesium oxide, or combinations thereof.

Embodiment 11. The foamable composition of any one of Embodiment 1-10,wherein the foamable composition further comprises a fiber.

Embodiment 12. The foamable composition of Embodiment 11, wherein thefiber is biodegradable.

Embodiment 13. The foamable composition of any one of Embodiments 11-12,wherein the fiber comprises hemp, bast, jute, flax, ramie, kenaf, sisal,bamboo, or wood cellulose fibers.

Embodiment 14. The foamable composition of any one of Embodiment 1-13,wherein the foamable composition further comprises a photodegradationcatalyst.

Embodiment 15. The foamable composition of Embodiment 14, wherein thephotodegradation catalyst is a titanium dioxide, or an iron oxide.

Embodiment 16. The foamable composition of any one of Embodiment 1-15,wherein the foamable composition further comprises a pigment.

Embodiment 17. The foamable composition of Embodiment 16, wherein thepigment is a titanium dioxide, carbon black, or an iron oxide.

Embodiment 18. The foamable composition of any one of Embodiment 1-17,wherein the foamable composition is biodegradable.

Embodiment 19. The foamable composition of any one of Embodiment 1-18,wherein the foamable composition comprises two or more celluloseacetates having different degrees of substitution of acetyl.

Embodiment 20. The foamable composition of any one of Embodiment 1-19,wherein the foamable composition further comprises a biodegradablepolymer that is different than the cellulose acetate.

Embodiment 22. The composition of any one of Embodiments 1-20, whereinwhen the composition is formed into a film having a thickness of 0.38mm, the film exhibits greater than 5% disintegration after 6 weeks andgreater than 90% disintegration after 12 weeks according toDisintegration Test Protocol, as described in the specification.

Embodiment 23. The composition of any one of Embodiments 1-20, whereinwhen the composition is formed into a film having a thickness of 0.38mm, the film exhibits greater than 10% disintegration after 6 weeks andgreater than 90% disintegration after 12 weeks according toDisintegration Test Protocol, as described in the specification.

Embodiment 24. The composition of any one of Embodiments 1-20, whereinwhen the composition is formed into a film having a thickness of 0.76mm, the film exhibits greater than 90% disintegration after 12 weeksaccording to Disintegration Test Protocol, as described in thespecification.

Embodiment 25. An article prepared from the foamable composition of anyone of claims 1-24, wherein the article is a foam.

Embodiment 26. The article of Embodiment 25, wherein the article has athickness of up to 6 mm.

Embodiment 27. The article of anyone of Embodiments 25-26, wherein thearticle has one or more skin layers.

Embodiment 28. The article of any one of Embodiments 25-27, wherein thearticle is biodegradable.

Embodiment 29. The article of any one of Embodiments 25-28, wherein thearticle has a density less than 0.9 g/cm³.

Embodiment 30. The article of any one of Embodiments 25-29, wherein thearticle is industrial compostable or home compostable.

Embodiment 31. The article of Embodiment 30, wherein the thickness isless than 3 mm.

Embodiment 32. The article of any one of Embodiments 25-31, wherein thearticle exhibits greater than 90% disintegration after 12 weeksaccording to disintegration test protocol for films, as described in thespecification.

EXAMPLES Abbreviations

BHT is butylated hydroxytoluene or Tenox BHT (Eastman); bioCBA isbiodegradable chemical blowing agent; CA is cellulose acetate; CA398-30is Eastman cellulose acetate CA398-30; CA398-10 is Eastman celluloseacetate CA398-10; CBA is chemical blowing agent; CDA is cellulosediacetate; CAPA 6500 is polycaprolactone (Ingevity); CE41972 is Eastmancellulose acetate Cellulose Ester 41972; DLTDP is dilaurylthiodipropionate (Sigma Aldrich); DMA or DMTA is dynamic mechanicalanalysis; DS is degree of substitution per anhydroglucose unit of acellulose ester; EOB is elongation at break; EPSO is epoxidized soybeanoil (Vikoflex 7170, Arkema); FZ 73S is Foamazol 73s (BergenInternational); FZ 95 is Foamazol 95 (Bergen International); h or hr ishour(s); HDT is heat deflection temperature; HK40B is Hydrocerol HK40B(Clariant); PHB(6)Hx=poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-6 mol%-3-hydroxyhexanoate) having an average Mw or about 770,000 (measuredusing GPC and PS standards with methylene chloride solvent); Pz isplasticizer; TA is triacetin; TEC is triethyl citrate; ° C. is degree(s)Celsius; wt % is weight percent; PEG400 is polyethylene glycol with anaverage molecular weight of 400 Daltons. kWh/kg is kilowatt hour perkilogram; L is liters; oz is ounce; PBA is physical blowing agent; PBSis polybutylene succinate; PCL is polycaprolactone; PS is polystyrene;rpm is revolutions per minute; TGA is thermal gravimetric analysis; MWis molecular weight.

Test Materials and Protocols: Cellulose Diacetate Compositions

Starting CDA materials were obtained from Eastman Chemical Company. Thematerials included commercially available CDA having a DS of 2.5 and Mnof about 50,000 and about 40,000 (CA398-30 and CA398-10) andcommercially manufactured CDA having a DS of 2.2. CDA compositions withPz were prepared. The plasticizer used in the examples was TA. TApre-plasticized compositions were also compounded into additionalcompositions with fillers or polymeric additives. Cellulose acetatecompositions were made with a polymeric additive that was polyethyleneglycol having an average molar mass of about 400 g/mol (“PEG-400”) andno TA plasticizer. Plasticized cellulose acetate resin was prepared byfeeding cellulose diacetate to a twin screw co-rotating extruder usingloss in weight feeders for the solids and liquid feeds. The solids werefed into the feed throat of the extruder and liquids were injected intothe first heated barrel zone. The materials were compounded using anincreasing temperature profile from 70° C. in the 1st heated zone to230° C. at the die. The materials were processed at conditionssufficient to provide a relatively homogeneous resin mixture. Theresulting resin was a pre-plasticized cellulose acetate resin witheither 15, 17 or 30 wt % TA as plasticizer. The cellulose acetatecomposition with PEG400 was made in a similar manner.

In the case of compounded CDA compositions, the (TA) pre-plasticizedcellulose acetate resin with 15, 17 or 30 wt % TA as plasticizer (baseresin) was compounded with filler material or polymeric additive. Thecompounding was performed on a 26 mm twin screw extruder with sidefeeders. The base resin was fed into a barrel on the extruder through aloss in weight feeder system. Filler materials or polymeric additiveswere added through a side feeder with a loss in weight feeder system.The zone 1 temperature was set at 150° C. as well as all subsequentzones plus the die was set at 180° C. Specific energy input (SEI) variedbetween 0.116 kWh/kg and 0.158 kWh/kg for these compounds. Melttemperatures were between 177° C. and 181° C. (measured in the die).Atmospheric venting was performed after the first kneading section andprior to the pumping section to vent steam from the undried base polymerand water associated with the filler materials. The final productcomposition was produced by passing through a dye to produce strandsthat were cut into pellets.

Extruded Films

A 1.5 inch Killion single screw extruder equipped with Maddock mixerscrew was utilized to produce films. Cellulose acetate compositionpellets were loaded into the hopper and material passed into the barrelwhere the Maddock screw transferred the material toward the die. Thebarrel (housing the screw) was heated in three zones so that the pelletswould melt as they passed over the screw along a very narrow clearanceallowing for a high shear and high degree of dispersive mixing. It wasobserved that a homogeneous polymer mixture was formed as it approachedthe die and the mixture was forced through the die by the screw whereextrusion occurs. The extrusion formed a flat molten film as the filmexited the die and the film solidified on temperature controlledpolished chrome rolls (the roll stack).

Post-extrusion film samples were removed intermittently to determinefilm thickness. When the extruder was producing the proper filmthickness, the film was attached to a receiving roller and the film wascarefully wound until the final roll was complete.

Disintegration Test Protocol for Films

A test method used for disintegration was based on ISO 16929Plastics—Determination of the Degree of Disintegration of PlasticsMaterials under Defined Composting Conditions in a Pilot-Scale Test(2013). A pilot-scale aerobic composting test was used to simulate asclosely as possible a real and complete composting process in compostingbins of 200 L. The test materials (films) were put into slide framesthat exposed approximately 8.05 cm² of test material on both sides ofthe film. These slide frames were then mixed with biowaste and compostedin two 200-liter composting bins. The biowaste consisted of Vegetable,Garden and Fruit waste (VGF) to which 11% extra structural material wasadded in order to obtain optimal composting conditions. Consistent withfull-scale composting, inoculation and temperature increase happenedspontaneously. The test was considered valid only if the maximumtemperature during composting was above 60° C. and below 75° C., and ifthe daily temperature remained above 40° C. during at least 4 weeks. Thecomposting process was directed through air flow and moisture content.The temperature and exhaust gas composition were regularly monitored.The composting process was continued until fully stabilized compost wasobtained (3 months). During composting, the contents of the vessels weremanually turned, at which time test item were retrieved and visuallyevaluated.

Solvent-Casting of Films

CA398-30 was the resin for all tests (DS=2.52; mp 230-250 C, Tg 189C).Solutions were made containing 12% CA398-30 in acetone. Additives wereincluded in the solution as indicated. Some mixtures were heated to 50 Cto promote dissolution and mixing. Thin films (˜3 mil), were drawn downon a clean glass plate using a film applicator (BYK 5351; 2″ squareframe, 5-50 mils). Thicker films (5 to 40 mil) were cast from acetoneinto flat-bottom aluminum dishes, and solvent evaporation was controlledover 16 to 24 h by covering the pans. Film thickness was measured with adigital micrometer (Mitutoyo Digimatic Micrometer, MDC-1″ PX) with0.0.05 mil resolution.

Glass Transition Temperature

Glass transition temperature (Tg) was estimated by both DifferentialScanning calorimetry (DSC) and by DMA. DMA of the films consisted of anormal temperature sweep at one frequency controlling oscillatingstrain, to collect information about both room temperature differencesand Tg differences. For DMA, film samples were run at 3° C. per minunder 0.1% strain at 1 Hz and the Tg range was estimated from the E′onset and the peak of the Tan(Delta) curve.

Tg (DSC) of 10 Mil Films with PEG MW 200 to 2000

PEG with MW ranging from 200 to 8,000 was added at 17.0 wt % to aCA398-30 dope (12 wt % CA398-30 in acetone) and incorporated by heatingat up to 50° C. Films were cast with a 10 mil dry thickness. Tg of theCA398-30/PEG blends was estimated by DSC 2^(nd) heat, and the resultsare summarized in Table 1. When the PEG MW was 6,000 or greater,incompatibility in the films was observed as defects in the films. Whenthe PEG MW was 2,000 or greater, no Tg was detected in the 2^(nd) heatduring DSC. Instead, an endotherm was detected at a temperature close tothe melting point of the PEG, a sign of immiscibility of the blend. Asingle Tg was detected in CA/PEG blends when the PEG MW was 600 orlower.

TABLE 1 DSC of CA/PEG blends with PEG (17.0 wt %). Plasticizer Tg (DSC,@ 17.0 wt % Appears 2^(nd) heat) Other PEG200 Clear 108.27 PEG300 Clear107.54 PEG400 Clear 116.84 PEG600 Clear 108.31 PEG2000 Clear no Tg 52.72(large endotherm) PEG3350 Clear no Tg 58.07 (large endotherm) PEG4600Clear no Tg 57.87 (large endotherm) PEG6000 Minor defects no Tg 59.46(large endotherm) PEG8000 Major defects no Tg 62.26 (large endotherm)

Plasticization Efficiency as Estimated by DMA

Measuring Tg of thin films plasticized with PEG and PEG derivatives isnot straightforward, and a clear glass transition temperature ofcellulosic materials is sometimes difficult to observe by DSC. When amore sensitive technique is needed, DMTA or DMA is an option.

Table 2 and 3 provide Tg values using the DMA method for CA398-30) filmsplasticized at 23 wt % and 17 wt %, respectively. The Tan(delta) wasused as an estimate of the Tg values for the films. At 23 wt %plasticizer loading (Table 2), PEG600, MPEG165, MPEG165, MPEG550, andMPEG750 exhibited Tg values of greater than 160° C. as measured by DMA.On the other hand, PEG200, PEG300, PEG400, MPEG350, MEPG450 exhibited Tgvalues of from 113° C. to 120° C., indicating greater plasticizationefficiency.

TABLE 2 DMA of CA398-30 films with 23 wt % plasticizer. CA398-30 with PZ(23 wt %) Tan(delta) 3-4 mil thick T_(g) (° C.) N/A 220.4 TA 153.0PEG200 115.3 PEG300 119.7 PEG400 117.3 PEG600 164.4 MPEG165 204.0MPEG350 113.4 MPEG450 118.3 MPEG550 166.1 MPEG750 169.2

For plasticizer loading at 17 wt % (Table 3), PEG400, MPEG350 andMPEG550 exhibited a Tg range of from 127° C. to 132° C. However, PEG600exhibited a Tg of 195.6° C., which is similar to unplasticized CA398-30.

TABLE 3 DMA of CA398-30 films with plasticizer (17 wt %). CA398-30 withPZ (17 wt %) Tan(delta) 3-4 mil thick T_(g) (° C.) N/A 220.4 TA 149.5PEG 400 131.6 PEG 600 195.5 MPEG 350 131.5 MPEG 550 127.8

Relative Thermal Stability/Volatility of PEG and Other Plasticizers inCA398-30 Films

The low MW of plasticizers are susceptible to volatilization duringthermal processing, either during compounding, extrusion orthermoforming. Isothermal volatility was tested on different filmformulations. CA398-30: DS=2.5; mp 230-250, Tg 189C (DSC). Thin films(˜3 mil) were cast onto glass plates from a 12 wt % solution of CA398-30and plasticizer in acetone. The solvent was evaporated, and the filmsequilibrated under lab conditions (20-23 C, 25-30% RH). Films with 23.0wt % PZ (1-inch squares, equilibrated to lab ambient conditions, 20-23°C. and ˜25% RH), were accurately weighed before and after being heatedto 120° C. for 7 min to 127 min to monitor weight loss. The results inTable 4 show that PEG200 is the most volatile plasticizer in the 5 milfilms, followed by TA) and TEC. Weight loss of films plasticized withPEG400, PEG600, Polysorbate 20 (Tween 20) was not different fromun-plasticized CA398-30.

TABLE 4 Weight loss upon heating of CDA films plasticized with PZ (23 wt%) to 120° C. Time Wt % Loss Wt % Loss Wt % Loss Plasticizer @7 min @67min @127 min PEG200 3.3 15.0 15.6 PEG400 0.2 1.7 2.8 PEG600 0.5 1.6 3.5TA 4.7 11.8 12.9 No Pz 0.9 2.4 1.2Stress Whitening after Biaxial Stretching

The films of Ex 16 were subjected to stretching to mimic thermoforming.To understand the sheet temperature effect, two oven temperatures arechosen at 165° C. and 185° C. The heating time is fixed at 40 secondsbefore stretching. To mimic the areal draw ratio of a 12 oz clam shell,an equivalent biaxial draw ratio 1.5×1.5 is used. For a 12 oz drinkingcup, an equivalent biaxial draw ratio 2×2 is used. Two strain rates arealso selected. One is at 50%/s which is about the same strain rate invacuum forming @25 in Hg. The other is 500%/s which approximates thehigh speed stretching from a plug. Since stress whitening is the mainfocus in this example, the key response is thus haze in the sheet whichis proportional to degree of stress whitening.

The formation of stress whitening was in thermoforming CDA sheet intoclam shell (hinged container) or cup. To mimic vast packaging containersin different shapes and sizes, an equivalent biaxial draw ratio iscalculated by using the areal draw ratio of the container. Table 5 showstwo examples. One is for a 12 oz drink cup which has an areal draw ratioof 4.45 whose approximate biaxial draw ratio is about 2×2. The other isa 12 oz clam shell which has an areal draw ratio of 1.93 whoseapproximate biaxial ratio is about 1.5×1.5. The areal draw ratio isdefined by the total surface area of the formed container divided by theoriginal sheet area before forming.

TABLE 5 Biaxial film stretching for the simulation of thermoforming.Areal Draw Ratio Biaxial Draw Ratio 12 oz cup 4.45 ~2 × 2 12 oz ClamShell 1.93 ~1.5 × 1.5

To explore the effect of each variable on the stress whitening inbiaxially stretched CDA sheets, Table 6 is the experimental matrix. Thehaze of each sample will be measured by changing the thickness, drawratio, stretching temperature, and strain rate.

TABLE 6 Experimental matrix Variables Ex 13 Ex 14 Ex 15 Ex 16 PZ, 20 wt% PEG 400 PEG 400 TA TA Thickness, mil 15 30 15 30 Draw Ratio, 1.5 × 2 ×1.5 × 2 × 1.5 × 2 × 1.5 × 2 × MD × TD 1.5 2 1.5 2 1.5 2 1.5 2 Temp, ° C.165 185 165 185 165 185 165 185 Strain Rate, 50% 500% 50%, 500% 50% 500%50% 500% %/sHaze of 15 Mil Samples after Stretching

At a lower draw ratio 1.5×1.5, 15 mil Ex 13 samples show little hazeunder various stretching conditions as shown in Table 7. Ex 15 (15 mil)samples on the other hand develop some haze at the same stretchingconditions especially at 165° C. Table 7 summarizes the results frombiaxial stretching of 15 mil thick samples, Ex 13 demonstrates littlehaze formation even it is subjected to a higher draw ratio, strain rateand lower temperature while obvious haze is observed for Ex 15 at thesame combined stretching conditions.

TABLE 7 Haze results of 15 mil samples stretched at various conditions.15 Haze, Haze, mil Stretching Conditions % Stretching Conditions % Ex 131.5 × 1.5, 165° C., 50% 1.44 2 × 2, 165° C., 50% 1.31 1.5 × 1.5, 165°C., 500% 1.22 2 × 2, 165° C., 500% 1.2 1.5 × 1.5, 185° C., 50% 1.33 2 ×2, 185° C., 50% 1.03 1.5 × 1.5, 185° C., 500% 0.89 2 × 2, 185° C., 500%1.02 EX 15 1.5 × 1.5, 165° C., 50% 11 2 × 2, 165° C., 50% 20.2 1.5 ×1.5, 165° C., 500% 7.2 2 × 2, 165° C., 500% 19.1 1.5 × 1.5, 185° C., 50%4.04 2 × 2, 185° C., 50% 3.97 1.5 × 1.5, 185° C., 500% 4.79 2 × 2, 185°C., 500% 6.05

Table 8 summarizes the results for 30 mil thick samples, Ex 14demonstrates little haze formation even though it is subjected to ahigher draw ratio, strain rate and lower temperature while significanthaze is observed for Ex 16 at the same combined stretching conditions.

TABLE 8 Haze results of 30 mil samples stretched at various conditions.30 Haze, Haze, mil Stretching Condition % Stretching Condition % Ex 141.5 × 1.5, 165° C., 50% 2.63 2 × 2, 165° C., 50% 2.49 1.5 × 1.5, 165°C., 500% 2.21 2 × 2, 165° C., 500% 3.43 1.5 × 1.5, 185° C., 50% 1.9 2 ×2, 185° C., 50% 2.62 1.5 × 1.5, 185° C., 500% 2.63 2 × 2, 185° C., 500%3.36 Ex 16 1.5 × 1.5, 165° C., 50% 16.9 2 × 2, 165° C., 50% 58.1 1.5 ×1.5, 165° C., 500% 8.3 2 × 2, 165° C., 500% 47 1.5 × 1.5, 185° C., 50%14.6 2 × 2, 185° C., 50% 7.17 1.5 × 1.5, 185° C., 500% 11.8 2 × 2, 185°C., 500% 15.5

In films Ex 15 and Ex 16, due to stress whitening issue, only shallowdrawn articles can be vacuum formed using this formulation.

Gel Count Gel Count Protocol

The gel count was determined by adapting ASTM D7310-11. The film sampleswere imaged using an Allied Vision Technologies GT2750C Ethernet basedcamera. The area being analyzed is 5 cm×5 cm=25 cm², taking 6 imageswith a total area imaged of 150 cm². The camera is a color camera with a2750×2200 1 inch pixel sensor. The camera utilizes the default settingsexcept the exposure time is set to 400 microseconds. The lens used inthe system is an Opto Engineering TC23080 bi-telecentric lens. Theworking distance of the lens is 226.7 mm. This generates a field of viewthat is 76.5 mm×64.0 mm. The light used in the setup is an OptoEngineering LTCLHP080-G collimated light. The light was positioned 150mm away from the sample. The light and lens are setup in transmissionmode so that the film sample rests between the light and lens. Thetransmission mode layout coupled to telecentric optics provides uniqueadvantages over other lighting geometry/lens combinations. Thecombination of transmission mode coupled to telecentric optics causestranslucent gels present in a translucent film to appear as darkparticles on the image sensor. The appearance of gels as dark particleson a translucent background enables easy detection, counting, andmetrology of gels.

Images from the camera were acquired using National InstrumentsMeasurement and Automation Explorer software. The images were processedusing an internally developed program written in the LabVIEW programminglanguage. In general, the image processing program isolates individualgels in the film. The first step the program performs is a color planeextraction. When an image is collected with a color camera there areseveral images created in different planes. The color plane extractedfor this method was the HSI intensity plane because this color planegave the best contrast between the background and defects of interest.The next step performed in the image processing routine is calibrationof the image. Calibration of the image is used to convert the pixelsinto real world units. An imaging standard is used to perform thiscalibration. The saved calibration is then applied in this step to allsubsequent images. The image is then threshold using a local backgroundcorrected algorithm with a local area of 32×32 pixels. This automatedthresholding routine performs a background correction to eliminatenon-uniform lighting effects. The interclass variance thresholdingalgorithm is then applied to isolate dark particles. In the interclassvariance method for thresholding the interclass variance is measured atevery possible pixel intensity. The threshold is set at a pixelintensity such that the interclass variance is maximized. The algorithmassumes that the pixel intensities represent a bimodal distribution with2 classes. The image is a binary image at this point in the processingroutine. The particles in the image are given a value of 1 and thebackground is given a value of 0. An opening function is applied to theparticles. The opening function first erodes particles and then dilatesthe remaining particles. The larger particles remain, but smallparticles are eliminated. This step is done to eliminate sensor noiseand to disconnect neighboring particles that may be touching. The nextstep eliminates particles that are touching the boarder of the imagebecause these particles cannot be accurate measured. Once the boarderparticles are eliminated the area of all gel particles is summed. Thearea imaged coupled to the area of the gels can be used to calculate thetotal particle/gel area of the film sample.

Extruded Films, Ex 17-20

CA398-30 was compounded with either PEG400 or PEG600 at the desiredweight percentage and subsequently formed into pellets. A twin screwextruder was used to first prepare compounded pellets with the extruderhaving the conditions as shown in Table 9. Before using the pellets forextruding the films, the pellets were dried at 140° C. for 4 h. Thedried compounded pellets were then used to extrude the pellets using anextruder having the following conditions shown in Table 10.

TABLE 9 Extruder Conditions for Preparing Compounded Pellets. BarrelTemperature ° C. Zone 1 90 Zone 2 160 Zone 3 200 Zone 4 200 Zone 5 210Zone 6 220 Zone 7 220 Zone 8 220 Zone 9 220 Die 225

TABLE 10 Extruder Conditions for preparing films used to conduct gelcount study. Extrusion condition ° C. zone 1 218 zone 2 227 zone 3 227zone 4 227 adaptor 227 die 238 chill roll 93

Ex 17: Film (80 wt % CA398-30, 20 wt % PEG400, 30 mil)

Ex 18: Film (80 wt % CA398-30, 20 wt % PEG400, 15 mil)

Ex 19: Film (80 wt % CA398-30, 20 wt % PEG600, 30 mil)

Ex 20: Film (80 wt % CA398-30, 20 wt % PEG600, 15 mil)

TABLE 11 Gel count distribution for 15 mil and 30 mil (PEG400/PEG600)Total Particle Area Gel Count Distribution Ex [ppm] 90-250 250-400400-550 550-700 700-850 850-1000 1000-1500 >1500 # (% area) μm (ppm) μm(ppm) μm (ppm) μm (ppm) μm (ppm) μm (ppm²) μm (ppm²) μm (ppm²) 17 22463(2.2%) 431 460 433 222 440 973 5640 13863 18  1418 (0.14%) 171 193 146137 164 42 371 195 19 298592 (29.9%) 886 2065 3663 6827 8897 11317 41420223518 20 162812 (16.2%) 606 999 1326 2201 4229 6431 21420 125600

Examples 1 and 2—Disintegration of Filled and Unfilled Samples

Pilot-scale aerobic composting tests were conducted (as describedabove). In the tests, the film sample was mixed with fresh organicpre-treated municipal solid waste (biowaste) and introduced to aninsulated composting bin, at which time composting spontaneously began.The film samples tested included: 15 mil thick extruded films ofcellulose diacetate plasticized with 15 wt % TA, 1 wt % EPSO, and nofiller (Ex 1); and 15 mil thick extruded films of cellulose diacetateplasticized with 15 wt % TA and compounded with 1 wt % EPSO and 15 wt %calcium carbonate (Omyacarb UF-FL CaCO₃, surface treated and having aparticle size of 0.70 microns) (Ex 2). The films were prepared asdiscussed above. The samples were observed after 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10and 12 weeks of composting. The disintigration results for Ex 1 and 2are summarized in Table 12.

The films made from compositions containing 15 wt % calcium carbonatehad faster disintegration. Although not shown, a similar effect wasobserved for films with 30 wt % TA, where films with 30 wt % TAdisintegrated faster than otherwise similar films with 15 wt % TA.

Examples 3 and 4—Disintegration as a Function of Acetyl Level

Film samples were tested as follows: 10 mil thick extruded films ofcellulose diacetate having an acetyl degree of substitution (DS) of 2.5and Mn of 50,000 plasticized with 15 wt % TA, 1 wt % EPSO, and no filler(Ex 3); and 10 mil thick extruded films of cellulose diacetate having anacetyl degree of substitution (DS) of 2.2 plasticized with 15 wt % TA, 1wt % EPSO, and no filler (Ex 4). The films were prepared as discussedabove. The samples were observed after 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 weeksof composting. The results of Ex 3 and 4 are summarized in Table 12.

A review of the results reveals that the films with a lower acetyl levelCDA will disintegrate faster than a similar film with a higher acetylcontent CDA.

Ex 5—Disintegration as a Function of Molecular Weight

Film samples were tested as follows: 10 mil thick extruded films ofcellulose diacetate having a number average molecular weight (Mn) of40,000 (measured by GPC as described herein) plasticized with 15 wt %TA, 1 wt % EPSO, and no filler. The films were prepared as discussedabove. The samples were observed after 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 weeksof composting. The results of Ex 5 are also summarized in Table 12.

The results reveal that the films with a lower molecular weight CDA willdisintegrate faster than a similar film with a higher molecular weightCDA.

Examples 6 to 7—Disintegration of Compounded CDA Compositions withPlasticizer and Polymeric Additives

The film samples tested included: 20 mil thick extruded films ofcellulose diacetate plasticized with 17 wt % TA and compounded with 1 wt% EPSO and 20 wt % PHB(6)Hx (Ex 6); and 20 mil thick extruded films ofcellulose diacetate plasticized with 17 wt % TA and compounded with 1 wt% EPSO, 20 wt % PHB(6)Hx and 10 wt % CAPA 6500 (Ex 7). The results aresummarized in Table 12.

Examples 8-11—Disintegration of CDA Compositions with PEG Additive

The film samples tested included: 15 and 30 mil thick extruded films ofcellulose diacetate compounded with 1 wt % EPSO and 10, 15, or 20 wt %PEG-400. The results are summarized in Table 12.

Example 12—Disintegration of CDA Compositions with Foaming Agent

The film samples tested included: 20 mil thick extruded films ofcellulose diacetate plasticized with 20 wt % TA and compounded with 1 wt% talc and 1 wt % EPSO by compounding the components in a manner similarto methods discussed above. The films were produced using a single screwextruder, as discussed above, except 1 wt % chemical foaming agent (FZ73s) was added at the feed hopper to produce a foamed film (Ex 12). Ex12 foam sample, at a thickness of 20 mil, passed in the qualitativecomposting test after 10 weeks. The results are summarized in Table 12.

TABLE 12 Summary of Disintegration Results (Industrial Composting) %Film or Disintegration Ex CDA TA Polymer Filler Foam 6 12 # DS Mn wt %(wt %) (wt %) (mil) wks wks 1 2.5 50k 15 N/A N/A 15 0 10 2 2.5 50k 15N/A CaCO₃ (15) 10 >5 >90 3 2.5 50k 15 N/A N/A 10 >5 >80 4 2.2 50k 15 N/AN/A 10 30 >90 5 2.5 40k 15 N/A N/A 10 >90 >90 6 2.5 50k 17 PHB(6)Hx (20)N/A 20 5 >90 7 2.5 50k 17 PHB(6)Hx (20)/ N/A 20 >90 >90 CAPA 6500(10) 82.5 50k 0 PEG400 (15) N/A 15 <20 >90 9 2.5 50k 0 PEG400 (15) N/A 30 <20<90 10 2.5 50k 0 PEG400 (20) N/A 15 >90 >90 11 2.5 50k 0 PEG400 (20) N/A30 0 >90 12 2.5 50k 20 N/A Talc (1) 20 30 >90 33 2.5 50k 20 N/A N/A 3025 >90 34 2.5 50k 20 N/A 10% Hemp 32 40 >95

OWS Home Composting

Ex 12 @ 20 mil foam sample disintegrated well in 20 weeks under OWS homecomposting conditions. Ex 12 completed disappeared in 26 weeks underhome composting conditions (Table 13).

TABLE 13 Disintegration of Ex 12 Under Home Composting Conditions. %Disintegration Ex CDA TA Polymer Filler Foam 12 26 # DS Mn wt % (wt %)(wt %) (mil) wks wks 12 2.5 50k 20 N/A Talc (1) 20 0 >90

Disintegration vs Biodegradation

In general, degradation is followed by the determination of parameterssuch as DOC (dissolved organic carbon), CO₂ production and oxygenuptake. There are three main methods for testing the biodegradation of amaterial: the Sturm method, respirometry method, and the radio-labeled¹⁴C atom test method. The Sturm method precisely measures carbon dioxideproduction through a change in pressure. The respirometry test preciselymeasures the oxygen consumption over 60 days. Finally, the radio-labeled¹⁴C atom test determines ¹⁴C conversion to ¹⁴CO₂. All three methods canbe used under aquatic or composting conditions if the right equipment isused.

Freshwater Modified Sturm Test (OECD 301B) The amount of carbon dioxide(002) produced as a percentage of theoretical yield (based on totalorganic carbon analysis) is used as a basis for assessing whether thematerial biodegrades. CO₂ is measured by way of a sodium hydroxide trap.The study is run for a minimum of 28 days and may be continued if theyield of CO₂ is showing signs of increase towards the end of the 28-dayperiod.

Biodegradation Test—O₂ Consumption (OECD 301F) may be used to monitorbiodegradation of polymeric materials. OECD 301F is an aquatic aerobicbiodegradation test that determines the biodegradability of a materialby measuring oxygen consumption. OECD 301F is most often used forinsoluble and volatile materials that are challenged by OECD 301Btesting. The purity or proportions of major components of the testmaterial is important for calculating the Theoretical Oxygen Demand(ThOD). Like other OECD 301 test methods, the standard test duration forOECD 301F is a minimum of 28 days and can measure ready or inherentbiodegradability. A solution or suspension, of the test substance in amineral medium is inoculated and incubated under aerobic conditions inthe dark or in diffuse light. A reference compound (typically sodiumacetate or sodium benzoate) is run in parallel to check the operation ofthe procedures.

There are three classifications of biodegradability: readilybiodegradable, inherently biodegradable, and not biodegradable. Amaterial is readily biodegradable if it reaches ≥60% of its theoreticaloxygen demand within 28 days. Inherently biodegradable materials alsoreach the 60% level, but only after the 28-day window has passed.Normally, the test for materials that are readily biodegradable lastsfor 28 days, while a prolonged test period may be used to classifymaterials as inherently biodegradable.

The OxiTop method is modified Sturm method to analyze biodegradationwhile reporting biodegradability as oxygen consumption, converting thepressure from the CO₂ produced during the test to BOD, biological oxygendemand. OxiTop provides precise measurement in an easy to use format foraquatic biodegradation. Biological Oxygen Demand [BOD] was measured overtime using an OxiTop® Control OC 110 Respirometer system. This isaccomplished by measuring the negative pressure that develops whenoxygen is consumed in the closed bottle system. NaOH tablets are addedto the system to collect the CO₂ given off when 02 is consumed. The CO₂and NaOH react to form Na₂CO₃, which pulls CO₂ out of the gas phase andcauses a measurable negative pressure. The OxiTop measuring heads recordthis negative pressure value and relay the information wirelessly to acontroller, which converts CO₂ produced into BOD due to the 1:1 ratio.The measured biological oxygen demand can be compared to the theoreticaloxygen demand of each test material to determine the percentage ofbiodegradation. The OxiTop can be used to screen materials for ready orinherent biodegradability.

Aquatic Biodegradation of CA and CA+PEG400

Aquatic biodegradation rates of cellulose, cellulose acetate (CA) and CAblended with PEG400 were compared using the Oxitop method.Biodegradation refers to mineralization of a substance, or conversion tobiomass, CO₂ and water by the action of microbial metabolism.

The Test Substances included a cellulose positive control (PC) andcellulose acetate (DS 2.5), both added as powders. CA398-30 is ahigh-viscosity, high molecular weight cellulose acetate supplied asfine, dry, free-flowing powder. The powder's uniform particle sizepermits good plasticizer distribution during blending. The averageparticle size is about 200-250 microns, with a maximum particle size ofabout 500 microns. The CA resin (CA398-30) was added as the unmodifiedpowder. The CA resin was also uniformly blended with plasticizer (PEG400at 15%).

Aquatic biodegradation was evaluated essentially as described in OECD301F test method. Eastman sludge was used as the wastewater inoculum,and the wastewater sample was vacuum filtered to remove solid particles.The test was extended to 56 days from 28 days. The longer durationallows the both the identification of readily biodegradable materials(those which must pass in 28 days), as well as providing a screen forinherently biodegradable materials over a longer test duration. The datais initially collected as BOD measurements (mg/L 02), then the percentBiodegradation is calculated based on the elemental composition of thesubstance.

TABLE 14 Results for Aquatic Biodegradation of Ex 48 and 49. %Biodegradation % Biodegradation at 28 days at 56 days Ex # MaterialAverage (St dev) Average (St dev) Cellulose Cellulose 74.79 78.97(control) 48 CA398-30 56.23 69.48 49 CA398-30 + 15% 60.23 (2.05) 72.58(1.25) PEG400

Marine Biodegradation

Marine biodegradation is essential when foam articles are accidentallydischarged into waterway and finally floating in ocean. Foam alone isgood for photodegradation already. Additional additives can be added toenhance the photodegradation especially when articles float in marineenvironment.

UV Degradation of Ex 12

Accelerated UV testing indicates foam loses it molecular weight rapidlywhich may be beneficial for water or marine biodegradation if thearticle is accidentally released into waterways or ocean. The lightweight foam article will float in water so that it will be exposed to UVeasily during the day. The breakdown in molecular weight will enhancethe disintegration rate of foam and thus marine biodegradation speed.

Ex 12 sample is cut into 4″×6″ which is exposed to UV fluorescent havingpeak radiance of 340 nm at 0.89 watt/m² intensity for 8 hours @ 60° C.first. Then the UV is off for 4 h at 50° C. with condensed humidity onthe vertical sample. The cycles will repeat until reach 168 h (14cycles) which are equivalent to one-week UV exposure. Some sample willbe removed for GPC molecular weight measurement. The rest will continuethe UV exposure for another 168 h for two weeks. The original sample (0week), sample exposed for 1 week, and sample exposed for two weeks aresubmitted for GPC molecular weight measurements. The normalized MW isthe measured MW divided by the original MW which indicates the extent ofmolecular breakdown due to UV degradation. The original MW is 91,000.

TABLE 15 UV Exposure of Ex 12 UV Exposure Time (Week) Normalized MW 0 11 0.48 2 0.45

Additional foams were prepared from various compositions using a smallextruder (D=1.5 inch L/D=24) are disclosed in Table 16. The compositionscomprise TA (15 wt %, 20 wt %, 25 wt %) and three types of CBAs (HK40B,FZ 95, and FZ 73s) at two loadings (1 wt %, 2 wt %). All compositionscontain 1% talc (ABT 1000), supplied by Barretts Minerals. All foamsformed from the compositions are 20 mil thick and float in water whichis indicative of a good weight reduction from the original density ofabout 1.30 g/cm³.

TABLE 16 Foaming feasibility using various composition. Composition FoamTA CBA Talc Floats Ex # CA (wt %) (wt %) (wt %) in water 13 CA 398-30 15HK40B (1) 1 Y 14 CA 398-30 15 HK40B (2) 1 Y 15 CA 398-30 15 FZ 95 (1) 1Y 16 CA 398-30 15 FZ 95 (2) 1 Y 17 CA 398-30 15 FZ 73S (1) 1 Y 18 CA398-30 15 FZ 73S (2) 1 Y 19 CA 398-30 20 HK40B (1) 1 Y 20 CA 398-30 20HK40B (2) 1 Y 21 CA 398-30 20 FZ 95 (1) 1 Y 22 CA 398-30 20 FZ 95 (2) 1Y 23 CA 398-30 20 FZ 73S (1) 1 Y 24 CA 398-30 20 FZ 73S (2) 1 Y 25 CA398-30 20 HK40B (1) 1 Y 26 CA 398-30 20 HK40B (2) 1 Y 27 CA 398-30 20 FZ95 (1) 1 Y 28 CA 398-30 20 FZ 95 (2) 1 Y 29 CA 398-30 20 FZ 73S (1) 1 Y30 CA 398-30 20 FZ 73S (2) 1 Y

Ex 23 was used in large scale studies on a larger extruder (D=2.5 inch,L/D=30) to further optimize the loading levels (0.7 wt %, 1 wt %, 1.3 wt%) of the chemical foaming agent as shown in Table 17. Ex 12 showedsimilar results as Ex 23. The density of Ex 12 was found to be about 0.7(about 50% weight reduction from 1.30). A film sample of Ex 12 wasthermoformed into trays using vacuum.

TABLE 17 20 mil foams using CBA of three different loading levels. FoamTA CBA Talc Floats Ex # CA (wt %) (wt %) (wt %) in water 31 CA 398-30 20FZ 73S (0.7) 1 Y 12 CA 398-30 20 FZ 73S (1) 1 Y 33 CA 398-30 20 FZ 73S(1.3) 1 Y

Color Match and HDT Improvement

Ex 34 in Table 15 is a beige color CA foam which already differentiatesitself with the ubiquitous white PS foam. To further stand out,Bayferrox 6593 iron oxide, supplied by Lanxess, can be used to match thecolor of Kraft paper. Furthermore, the texture and touch of CA foam canbe modified by any natural fiber such as hemp core fiber (hurd) as shownin Table 18, Ex 35. Hemp core fiber, 1 mm long, was supplied byCentralinfiber. The hemp fiber also improves the HDT of the foam about14° C. @0.45 MPa load and 17° C. @ 1.86 MPa load. The HDT is determinedby DMA under a specific tensile load at the temperature where 2%elongation of sample occurs.

TABLE 18 HDT (DMA @ 2% elongation under tensile mode) of Ex 34 & 35 attwo different loadings. HDT HDT Density @ 0.45 @ 1.86 Ex # FoamComposition/Thickness (g/cm³) MPa MPa 34 30 mil beige color foam 0.7 10281 CA398-30 + 20% triacetin + 1% FZ 73s 35 30 mil kraft paper color foam0.8 116 98 CA398-30 + 20% triacetin + 0.1% iron oxide + 1% FZ 73s + 10%hemp fiber

The hemp fiber reinforced foam also demonstrates high Young's modulus inboth machine direction (MD) and transverse direction (TD) for greaterrigidity in stackability but lower elongation at break for easiertearing in home composting than its counterpart without fiber as shownin Table 19. Hemp fiber is expected to accelerate the overalldegradation of cellulose acetate foams. Based on the results, celluloseacetate foams reinforced with hemp fiber are expected to provide toprovide heat resistance and stackability properties that are bettersuited for hot food applications such as in foamed food containers.Thus, a fiber reinforced foam with higher HDT and stiffness has aperformance advantage over the non-reinforced version.

TABLE 19 Mechanical properties of Ex 34 & 35. Yield Yield Break YoungsEx Stretching Thickness Stress Strain Stress EOB Modulus # Direction(mil) (MPa) (%) (MPa) (%) (MPa) 34 MD 30 14.49 3.67 15.89 15.4 633 TD 309.82 5.67 9.84 5.6 428 35 MD 30 14.62 3.27 14.60 3.3 828 TD 30 9.49 2.499.49 2.5 605bioCBA

Commercial CBAs usually use a low melting temperature polymer carriersuch PS or PE so that it can be compounded at relatively low temperaturewith the active blowing agents such as sodium bicarbonate and citricacid so that the blowing agents will not be thermally decomposedprematurely. However, the polymer carrier is not biodegradable and couldend up with microplastics in the marine environment. To develop a 100%biodegradable foam without remaining microplastics when the article isaccidentally discharged into the ocean, a biodegradable chemical blowingagent is highly desired. Two bioCBAs were made by compounding allingredients below 150° C. using a twin-screw extruder. Ex 36: 50 wt %BioPBS FD92PM/20 wt % sodium bicarbonate/30 wt % citric acid and Ex 37:50 wt % CAPA 6500/20 wt % sodium bicarbonate/30 wt % citric acid. BioPBSFD92PM (Mitsubishi Chemical) and CAPA 6500. To ensure the blowing agentssodium bicarbonate and citric acid are still active after compounding,the weight loss using TGA in nitrogen was measured as shown in FIG. 1 .Two bioCBAs have similar weight loss up to 20% (from 100% to 80%) around240° C. The commercial CBA FZ 73S has a different weight loss curve with20% loss around 230° C. Two foam samples were made using two bio CBAs.The density of foam by using Ex 36 BioPBS FD92PM CBA is 0.6 g/cm³ while0.4 g/cm³ by using Ex 37 CAPA 6500 CBA. These results indicate 100%biodegradable foam can be produced by utilizing a biodegradable CBA.

Foam Using a Physical Blowing Agent

It is much more portable without major capital investments for extrudingfoam using a CBA. Injection molded foam articles can also be made usinga CBA. However, this CBA technology is more suitable for high densityfoam. For low density foam production such as PS foam, a PBA should beused with a gas injection system.

Extrusion Process for Foams Made from a PBA

The cellulose acetate resin is dried at 60° C. for 4 hours. The resin isthen fed into a single screw extruder with a CO₂ super critical fluidinjector. The extrusion temperature profile is shown in the table below.CO₂ is injected directly into the melt. The foam is formed when the meltexits the die.

TABLE 20 Extruder conditions Extruder ° C. Zone 1 200 Zone 2 205 Zone 3210 Zone 4 210 Adapter 210 Die 200

Table 21 shows the effect of the wt % of carbon dioxide on the densityof the foam. As shown, the density of the foams can be adjusted by theamount of carbon dioxide injected. The higher the carbon dioxide loaded,the lower the density of the foam.

TABLE 21 Foaming Results Using Carbon Dioxide CO₂ Density Thickness Ex #(wt %) (g/cm³) mil mm 38 0.275 0.5 61 1.55 39 0.35 0.45 61 1.55 40 0.4750.35 65 1.65 41 0.6 0.3 63 1.6 42 0.8 0.25 57 1.45

Examples Using Stabilizers Materials

Cellulose acetate used was either CA398-30 having a melting point from230-250° C., and a Tg of about 189° C. or CE41972 having a melting pointfrom 240-260° C., and a Tg of about 180° C. Plasticizers were either TA(Eastman, food grade) or PEG400 (Dow Sentry Polyethylene Glycol 400).

Additives used were BHT; Irganox 1010 (pentaerythritoltetrakis(3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate from BASF);DLTDP; Weston 705T phosphite (from SI Group), Doverphos S-9228Tphosphite (from Dover Chemical), EPSO, and citric acid (from SigmaAldrich).

Solvent-Casting of Films

Solutions were made containing 12% cellulose acetate in acetone.Plasticizer and additives were included in the solution as indicated.Films (˜15 mil) were cast from acetone into flat-bottom aluminum dishes,and solvent evaporation was controlled over 48 h by covering the pans.Film thickness was measured with a digital micrometer (MitutoyoDigimatic Micrometer, MDC-1″ PX) with 0.05 mil resolution.

Screening Solvent-Cast Films

Films were cut into quarters, and the quarters of four different filmswere laid into a single aluminum dish. A second aluminum dish wasstacked on top of the films, and the two aluminum dishes were clampedtogether with a clip. The aluminum dish assembly was placed in an ovenset at 200° C. for one hour, then removed and allowed to cool to roomtemperature. The films were removed from the aluminum dish assembly, andthe color was measured using a CR-400 Chroma Meter from Konica Minoltato determine L*, a*, and b*.

Compounding of Material

Cellulose acetate was compounded with plasticizer and optionallyadditives to make pellets. Specific formulations are listed in thetables below. Compounding was done using a Leistriz 18 mm twin screwextruder. The screw RPM was typically about 560, although it varied from416 to 584 RPM. The torque ranged from 26.7 to 50%. The melt temperatureranged from 255-275° C. The melt pressure ranged from 412-580 psi. TheSEI ranged from 0.147 to 0.326. The barrel has 9 zones, set in agradient from about 64° C. to about 240° C. The material was extrudedthrough a die set at 235-250° C.

Injection Molding of Plaques

Plaques were injection molded using a Toyo injection molding machine toform 4″×4″×125 mil plaques. The compounded pellets were first dried at60-65° C. for 1-6 h before used. The barrel had 5 zones, which were setat 500-465° F. in most instances (460-450° F. for one set of plaques).The mold cooling was set at 120° F., or for some sets of plaques at 70°F. Two different cycle times were used for most sets of plaques; a“regular” cycle time of ˜39 seconds, as well as a “doubled” cycle timeof about 78 seconds.

Color Measurement

Color values reported herein are CIELAB and b* values measured followingASTM D 6290-98 and ASTM E308-99, using measurements from a CR-400 ChromaMeter from Konica Minolta. Unless stated otherwise, the measurementswere performed on injection molded plaques having a thickness of 125mils.

Examples of CA398-30 with 20 wt % (Ex. 43) and 15 wt % PEG400 (Ex 44)

Formulations of CA398-30/PEG400 with various additives were injectionmolded into 125 mil plaques, and the b* was measured with a colorimeter.Plaques were made by 2 methods, using a normal cycle time duringinjection molding and by doubling the cycle time during injectionmolding (as discussed above). The data are presented in Tables 22 and 23below.

TABLE 22 Color (b*) of 125 mil plaques of CA398-30 with 20% PEG400 andvarious additives. Regular 2x 125 mil plaques of CA398-30/PEG400 20 wt %cycle cycle Primary AO Secondary AO Acid scavenger time time Ex # (wt %)(wt %) (wt %) b*g b* 43-1 BHT (0.25) Vikoflex 7170 (1) — 15.3 43-2 BHT(0.5) Vikoflex 7170 (1) 8.0 13.3 43-3 Irganox 1010 (0.5) Vikoflex 7170(1) 9.0 11.8 43-4 Vikoflex 7170 (1) 7.2 12.3 43-5 BHT (0.5) — 12.0 43-6BHT (0.25) Vikoflex 7170 (1) 8.4 11.2 43-7 Irganox 1010 (0.3) Weston705T (0.5) 5.8 7.8 43-8 BHT (0.25) DLTDP (0.2) 6.6 10.1 43-9 Irganox1010 (0.3) Doverphos S-9228T (0.15) 5.8 6.6 43-10 8.6 12.4

TABLE 23 Color (b*) of 125 mil plaques of CA398-30 with PEG400 (15 wt %)and various additives. Regular 2x 125 mil plaques of CA398-30/PEG400 15%cycle cycle Primary AO Secondary AO Acid scavenger time time Ex # (wt %)(wt %) (wt %) b* b* 44-1 9.9 14.6 44-2 Irganox 1010 10.8 14.8 (0.3) 44-3Doverphos S- 6.6 8.6 9228T (0.15) 44-4 Irganox 1010 Doverphos S- 7.3 9.1(0.3) 9228T (0.15) 44-5 BHT (0.25) Doverphos S- 8.1 9.9 9228T (0.15)44-6 Irganox 1010 Vikoflex 7170 (1) 10.7 14.5 (0.3) 44-7 Doverphos S-Vikoflex 7170 (1) 7.3 9.1 9228T (0.15) 44-8 Irganox 1010 Doverphos S-Vikoflex 7170 (1) 7.5 9.2 (0.3) 9228T (0.15) 44-9 Irganox 1010 DoverphosS- Vikoflex 7170 (1) 8.2 11.4 (0.15) 9228T (0.08) 44-10 Doverphos S-Vikoflex 7170 (1) 8.9 12.1 9228T (0.08) 44-11 citric acid (0.1) -material was sticking, could not make plaques

A review of Tables 22 and 23 reveals that the presence of the acidscavenger (Vikoflex 7170) does not seem to have a large effect on color.Although not shown in the tables, it was observed that the Vikoflexsometimes resulted in increased haze in thicker parts. Also, the primaryantioxidant alone (BHT or Irganox 1010) appears to have little effect oncolor, with some data showing it may have resulted in a slight increasein color. However, the presence of the secondary antioxidants provided asignificant reduction in b*.

Examples of CE41972 with 17 wt % PEG400 (Ex 45)

Formulations with various additives were initially screened by makingsolvent cast films (as described above). The results of screeningindicated that the CE41972/PEG400 combination with no additives resultedin much higher color than either CE41972/TA or CA398-30/PEG400formulations. Also, the addition of Vikoflex 7170 resulted in a furtherslight increase in b* and the primary antioxidant alone appeared to havelittle effect on b*. However, the secondary antioxidant alone (DLTDP orWeston 705T) resulted in significant reduction of b* and citric acidalone reduced b*, while the secondary antioxidant (DLTDP or Weston 705T)combined with citric acid reduced b* more than either alone, combiningDLTDP and Weston 705T reduced b* more than either alone, and combiningDLTDP and Weston 705T and citric acid reduced b* slightly more than whenusing only 2 of the 3.

Based on the screening results, formulations of CE41972/PEG400 withvarious additives were injection molded into 125 mil plaques, and the b*was measured with a colorimeter. The data are presented in Tables 24 and25 below.

TABLE 24 Observed color of 125 mil plaques of CE41972 with 17 wt %PEG400 (or 17 wt % TA as a comparison) and various additives. Regular125 mil plaques of CE41972 cycle Plasticizer Antioxidant #1 Antioxidant#2 Citric Acid time Ex # (wt %) (wt %) (wt %) (wt %) Color 45-1 TA (17)dark yellow 45-2 PEG400 very dark (17) brown 45-3 PEG400 Weston 705Tdark brown (17) (0.5) 45-4 PEG400 Weston 705T DLTDP Brown (17) (0.5)(0.1) 45-5 PEG400 Weston 705T 0.1 pale yellow (17) (0.5) 45-6 PEG400Weston 705T DLTDP 0.1 pale yellow (17) (0.5) (0.1) 45-7 PEG400 DoverphosS- dark brown (17) 9228T (0.15) 45-8 PEG400 Doverphos S- DLTDP Brown(17) 9228T (0.15) (0.1) 45-9 PEG400 Doverphos S- 0.1 pale yellow (17)9228T (0.15) 45-10 PEG400 Doverphos S- DLTDP 0.1 pale yellow (17) 9228T(0.15) (0.1)

TABLE 25 Measured color values for Ex 45. Color Values Ex # L* a* b*45-1 78.6 0.1 37.3 45-2 20.3 11.2 5.5 45-3 45.5 22.1 44.7 45-4 57.2 15.253.8 45-5 82.4 −2.2 26.5 45-6 84.2 −2.5 23.8 45-7 44.6 21.8 40.1 45-851.7 18.8 51.0 45-9 83.4 −2.5 25.8 45-10 82.9 −2.7 24.7

A review of Tables 24 and 25 reveals that the plaque results validatethe screening results, and show that for the CE41972/PEG400 combination,the lowest color is achieved when both a phosphite antioxidant(Doverphos S-9228T or Weston 705T) and citric acid are included and thatthe color can be further improved slightly by adding DLTDP (anadditional secondary antioxidant) to the phosphite antioxidant.

Examples of CE41972 with 17 wt % TA (Ex 46)

Formulations of CE41972/TA with various additives were injection moldedinto 125 mil plaques, and the b* was measured with a colorimeter forplaques made using regular and double cycle times (as discussed above).The data are presented in Tables 26 and 27 below.

TABLE 26 Color (b*) of 125 mil plaques of CE41972 with 17 wt % TA andvarious additives. Regular 2x 125 mil plaques of CE41972/TA 17 wt %cycle cycle Primary AO Secondary AO time time Ex # (wt %) (wt %) b* b*46-1 — 48.0 46-2 Irganox 1010 Weston 705T (0.3) 26.2 31.7 (0.3) 46-3 BHT(0.25) DLTDP (0.2) 32.6 48.6

A review of Table 26 reveals that not all antioxidant combinationsresult in reduction of b* in molded plaques. A combination of BHT andDLTDP did not reduce b*, whereas a combination of Irganox 1010 andWeston 705T did.

TABLE 27 Color (b*) of 125 mil plaques of CE41972 with 17 wt % TA andvarious additives. Regular 2x 125 mil plaques of CE41972/TA 17 wt %cycle cycle Primary AO Secondary AO time time Ex # (wt %) (wt %) b* b*46-4 41.0 52.0 46-5 Irganox 1010 Doverphos S-9228T 29.5 33.2 (0.3)(0.15) 46-6 Irganox 1010 Weston 705T 0.4% 28.7 34.3 (0.3) 46-7 DoverphosS-9228T — 37.4 0.15% 46-8 Weston 705T 0.4% 33.5 38.4

A review of Table 27 reveals that either of the secondary phosphiteantioxidants Doverphos S-9228T or Weston 705T, when paired with theprimary antioxidant Irganox 1010, resulted in a large decrease in b*.Surprisingly, in contrast to CA/PEG400 (Table 23), the secondaryantioxidants by themselves did not reduce color quite as much.

Examples of CA398-30 Comparing 15 wt % PEG400 and 15 wt % TA (Ex. 47)

A series of plaques were made with either PEG400 or TA as plasticizer,including either a secondary antioxidant only, or a primary andsecondary antioxidant combined, by injection molding plaques usingregular and double cycle times (as described above). The results arepresented in Table 28.

TABLE 28 Color (b*) of 125 mil plaques of CA398-30 with 15 wt %plasticizer (either TA or PEG400) and various additives. Regular 2x 125mil plaques of CA398-30 cycle cycle Plasticizer Primary AO Secondary AOtime time Ex # (wt %) (wt %) (wt %) b* b* 47-1 PEG400 (15) 9.2 12.3 47-2PEG400 (15) Weston 705T 6.9 8.8 (0.5) 47-3 PEG400 (15) Doverphos S- 6.58.2 9228T (0.15) 47-4 PEG400 (15) Irganox Doverphos S- 6.7 7.9 1010(0.3) 9228T (0.15) 47-5 TA (15) 14.6 21.7 47-6 TA (15) Weston 705T 13.219.1 (0.5) 47-7 TA (15) Doverphos S- 12.2 16.7 9228T (0.15) 47-8 TA (15)Irganox Doverphos S- 11.0 15.0 1010 (0.3) 9228T (0.15)

A review of Table 28 reveals that there was a difference based on whichplasticizer was used. Both combinations (CA398-30/PEG400 andCA398-30/TA) had significantly reduced color when a secondaryantioxidant was added. However, addition of Irganox 1010 had no benefitwhen using PEG400 (Ex 47-4), whereas addition of Irganox 1010 resultedin some additional reduction in color when using TA (Ex 47-8).

Examples 50 to 57—Disintegration of Compounded CA398-30 Compositionswith Plasticizer and Polymeric Additives

For each of the examples, CA398-30 was compounded with TA, (1 wt %)EPSO, and one or more biopolymers and then extruded into a film orinjection molded into a plaque. The biopolymers used were PHB(6)Hx andCAPA 6500.

The film or plaque was either made by a two-step process or a one-stepprocess. For the two-step process, the material is pre-compounded on atwin-screw extruder and then extruded on a single screw extruder ormolded in an injection molding machine. For the one step process, thematerials were made by physical blending pellets and then completing theextrusion on a single screw extruder. All materials were dried prior tomolding and extrusion at a temperature of 60° C. in a desiccant dryingsystem.

Ex 50-53 films were prepared using the two-step process, where thematerial was pre-compounded on a Leistritz 18 mm twin screw extruder at180 to 200° C. at a rate of 15 lbs/hr. at a screw speed of 500 rpm. Thematerial was then extruded on a 1.5″ Killion extruder having a L/D of24:1 and using a general-purpose screw with a maddock mixing section.The material was processed at a profile of 200° C. to 215° C. on thebarrel and 225 to 230° C. on the die to make a 0.020 inch (20 mil orabout 0.5 mm) film. Ex 56 and 57 were made the same way, except a diewas used to make a 0.030 inch (30 mil or about 0.76 mm) film.

Ex 54 film was prepared using the one-step process, where the materialwas physically blended and then extruded on a 1.5″ Killion extruderhaving a L/D of 24:1 and using a general-purpose screw with a maddockmixing section. The material was processed at a profile of 200° C. to215° C. on the barrel and 225 to 230° C. on the die to make a 0.020 inch(20 mil or about 0.5 mm) film.

Ex 55 plaques were prepared using the two-step process and injectionmolding, where the material was pre-compounded on a Leistritz 18 mm twinscrew extruder at 180 to 200° C. at a rate of 15 lbs/hr. at a screwspeed of 500 rpms. The material was then molded on a 90-ton ToyoInjection molding machine. The material was processed at a profile of210° C. on the barrel and a mold temperature of 20° C. on the mold tomake a 0.060 inch (60 mil or about 1.5 mm) plaque.

Film or plaque samples were subject to pilot-scale aerobic compostingtests in a similar manner to the tests conducted as described for Ex 1and 2. The specific formulations used for each example and thedisintegration test results are shown below in Table 29.

TABLE 29 Formulation information for CA398-30 with triacetin andbiopolymers. % Disintegration Ex CA398-30 TA PHB(6)Hx CAPA 6500Thickness 6 12 # (wt %) (wt %) (wt %) (wt %) (mil) wks wks 50 72 17 10 020 >20 >75 51 62 17 20 0 20 >2 >99 52 62 27 10 0 20 >8 >99 54 52 27 20 020 0 >50 54 52 17 20 10 20 >99 >99 55 52 17 20 10 60 0 >50 56 52 17 2010 30 >35 >99 57 62 17 0 20 30 >15 >99

A review of table 29 reveals that the lower amount (10 wt %) of PHB(6)Hx(compared to a higher amount at 20 wt %) resulted in higherdisintegration for higher levels of TA (27 wt %). The combination of thetwo biopolymers resulted in good disintegration after 12 weeks for 17 wt% TA at both 20 and 30 mils thickness and greater than 50%disintegration at 60 mils thickness. Also, 20 wt % CAPA 6500 aloneresulted in good disintegration after 12 weeks for 17 wt % TA at 30 milsthickness.

What we claim is:
 1. A foamable composition comprising: (1) a celluloseacetate having a degree of substitution of acetyl (DS_(Ac)) between 2.2to 2.6; (2) 5 to 40 wt % of a plasticizer; (3) 0.1 to 3 wt % of anucleating agent; and (4) 0.1 to 15 wt % of a physical blowing agent,wherein the proportions of the cellulose acetate, plasticizer,nucleating agent and physical blowing agent are based on the totalweight of the foamable composition.
 2. The foamable compositions ofclaim 1, wherein the physical blowing agent is present at from 1 to 15wt %.
 3. The foamable composition of claim 1, wherein the physicalblowing agent comprises CO₂, N₂, unbranched or branched (C₂₋₆) alkane,or any combination thereof.
 4. The foamable composition of claim 1,wherein the plasticizer comprises triacetin, triethyl citrate, orPEG400.
 5. The foamable composition of claim 1, wherein the nucleatingagent comprises a particulate composition with a median particle sizeless than 2 microns.
 6. The foamable composition of claim 1 wherein thenucleating agent comprises a magnesium silicate, a silicon dioxide, amagnesium oxide, or combinations thereof.
 7. The foamable composition ofclaim 1 wherein the foamable composition further comprises abiodegradable fiber.
 8. The foamable composition of claim 7 wherein thebiodegradable fiber comprises hemp, bast, jute, flax, ramie, kenaf,sisal, bamboo, or wood cellulose fibers.
 9. The foamable composition ofclaim 1, wherein the foamable composition is biodegradable.
 10. Thefoamable composition of claim 1, wherein the foamable compositioncomprises two or more cellulose acetates having different degrees ofsubstitution of acetyl.
 11. The foamable composition of claim 1, whereinthe foamable composition further comprises a biodegradable polymer thatis different than the cellulose acetate.
 12. An article prepared fromthe foamable composition of claim 1, wherein the article is a foam. 13.The article of claim 12, wherein the article has a thickness of up to 6mm.
 14. The article of claim 12, wherein the article has one or moreskin layers.
 15. The article of claim 12, wherein the article isbiodegradable.
 16. The article of claim 12, wherein the article has adensity less than 0.9 g/cm³.
 17. The article of claim 12, wherein thearticle is industrial compostable or home compostable.
 18. The articleof claim 17, wherein the thickness is less than 3 mm.
 19. The article ofclaim 12, wherein the article exhibits greater than 90% disintegrationafter 12 weeks according to disintegration test protocol for films, asdescribed in the specification.